Mnxxtn 
€hnrth 

^nr  the 


BX 

,U5^6     nnit  €tn 

R6 

1910         r—'—T-"^ 


HISTORY  OF 


Union  Presbyterian  Church 


-BY 


REV.  JOHN  K.  ROBERTS 

FOR  THEZ 

Home    Coming 

AUGUST  10-11,  1910. 

"Jail 


'""■^  '        JUN  28  1990 


KELLY  PRINTING  COV  ^^_  ,  .aWX^V 


FOREWORD. 

The  plan  of  this  volume  included  not  only  a  history  of 
Union  but  also  sketches  of  Carthage,  Cameron,  White  Hilh 
Culdee  and  Manly  churches,  which  Union  helped  to  organize* 
With  the  exception  of  Carthage,  material  for  the  sketches  of 
these  churches  was  not  secured  until  after  the  forms  had  gone 
to  press. 

We  left  out  many  interesting  traditions  because  we  could 
not  verify  their  authenticity. 

We  have  examined  the  evidence  of  the  subject  matter 
and  dates  of  this  history  by  careful  reference  to  every 
available  source  of  information. 

We  are  indebted  to  the  following  for  the  information 
contained  in  this  volume:  Messrs.  N.  A.  McKeithen,  J.  R. 
McQueen,  G.  W.  McNeill,  Rev.  A.  R.  McQueen,  Jack  Currie. 
Alexander  McLauchlin,  R.  D.  Rowan,  W.  J.  Kelly,  Daniel 
McNeill,  A.  A.  Ray,  T.  D.  McLean.  D.  Alphonso  Blue,  J.  W. 
McCaskill,  Noah  Deaton,  J.  Alton  Mclver,  James  McLean, 
Carlos  McLeod,  D.  D.  Kelly,  Angus  McNeill,  Dr.  G.  McLeod, 
Judge  W.  J.  Adams,  Dr.  H.  B.  Shields,  D.  McS.  Kelly,  J.  W 
Harrington,  J.  L.  Cole,  D.  A.  McDonald.  A.  C.  Kelly,  Mrs.  E^ 
J.  Tyson,  Mrs.  James  McLean,  Mrs.  James  D.  Mclver,  Mrs.  M. 
E.  Adams,  Mrs.  Martha  Branson,  Miss  Belle  McCrummen, 
Rev.  J.  A.  Paisley,  Mooresville,  N.  C,  Hon.  Hugh  M.  Street, 
Meridian,  Miss.,  Rev.  H.  L.  Paisley,  San  Marcos,  Texas,  S.  D. 
McCallum,  son  of  Rev.  Angus  McCallum,  Union  Church,  Miss., 
Rev.  D.  I.  Craig,  D.  D..  Stated  Clerk  of  Synod,  Mrs.  Neill 
McKay.  Rev.  D.  J.  McMillan,  D.  D.,  New  York,  N.  Y.,  the 
Sessional  Records  of  Union  and  Carthage  churches,  .Minutes 
of  Orange  and  Fayetteville  Presbyteries,  the  Synods  of  the 
Curohnas  and  North  Carolina,  Rev.  Martin  McQueen's  Notes 
and  Sermons,  old  letters,  Caruther's  and  Foote's  "Sketches," 
files  of  old  newspapers,  and  valuable  information  from  the 
editor  of  the  Christian  Observer. 

AUTHOR. 


HISTORY  OF  UNION. 


The  only  way  possible  to  ascertain  the  dates  of  the 
first  settlements  in  Union  congregation  is  to  search  through 
the  grants  on  file  in  the  Secretary  of  State's  office  in 
Raleigh.  Permanent  settlements,  however,  began  with 
the  great  Scotch  immigration  into  the  Carolinas  after  the 
disastrous  battle  of  Culloden  in  1746.  Ship  load  after  ship 
load  of  the  Highland  Scotch  landing  at  Wilmington  made 
their  way  up  the  Cape  Fear  river  to  a  point  first  known  as 
Cross  Creeks,  afterward  called  Campbelton  for  the  Rev. 
James  Campbell  but  changed  to  Fayetteville  in  honor  of 
Marquis  La  Fayette  during  his  visit  to  that  city  in  1825. 
From  this  point  they  formed  settlements  in  the  surround- 
ing country. 

At  that  time  a  dense  forest  of  stately   pine   covered 
the  country,  and  the  many  swamps  bristled  with  the  rank 
growth  of  cane-brake  or  reeds.     This  mighty   wilderness 
to  the  West  of  Fayetteville  was  penetrated  by  two  trails. 
One  a  Buffalo  trail  from  Cape  Fear  river  to  the  Yadkin, 
the  other  an  Indian  trail  from  the  Sapona,  or  Deep  river, 
to  the  Lower  Cape  Fear.     The   former  became  a  fine  of 
travel  and  commerce  between  the  Scotch  settlements  on 
the  Cape  Fear  and   the   Scotch-Irish  settlements  on  the 
Yadkin  and  beyond.     The  latter  road  became  an  important 
highway  between  Cross   Creeks  (Fayetteville)  and  Cross 
Hills  (Carthage).     Grants  call  for  this  road  as  the  Wagon 
Road;  afterwards  commonly   known   as   the  "Big  Wagon 
Road."    The  Yadkin  road  crosses  the   county  nine  miles 
south  of  Union,  and  the  Fayetteville  road  passes  along  by 
the  north  side  of  the  church  grounds.     The  Scotch  leavmg 
Fayetteville  formed  settlements  westward  on  both  sides  of 
these  two  great  thorough  fares.     Two  other  roads  were 
laid  out  at  an  early  date  which  played  an  important  part  m 
the  development  of  this  section.     The  Joel  road,  which  took 
its  name  from  the  man  who  cut  out  the  road,  running  East 


4  History  of  Union. 

and  West,  passes  one  half  mile  south  of  Union.  Land 
grants  call  for  the  Joel  road  as  early  as  1771.  The  Pee 
Dee  road,  running  North  and  South,  passes  through  the 
church  grounds  on  the  West  side  of  the  building.  The 
church  is  situated  in  a  triangle  formed  by  three  of  the 
earliest  highways.  The  crossing  of  the  roads  would  natur- 
ally give  the  locality  added  importance.  It  was  first  known 
as  the  cross  roads  and  was  early  used  as  a  place  of  public 
assembly,  probably  for  Muster  but  more  particularly  horse 
racing. 

The  first  grant  issued  to  a  Scotchman  in  North  Carolina 
was  filed  by  a  Mr.  McPherson  in  the  Pamlico  district  in 
1707.  In  Foote's  "Sketches"  we  find  that  a  man  by  the 
name  of  Clark  and  other  Scotchmen  had  settled  near  old 
Bluff  church  in  1729.  However,  when  the  Scotch  first 
came  into  Moore  county  they  found  settlers  already  in  the 
land  to  whom  they  gave  the  name  of  "Buckskins"  because 
of  their  peculiar  custom  of  wearing  suits  made  of  dressed 
deer  skin.  When  Alexander  McKeithen  entered  a  tract  of 
land  in  1751,  the  present  site  of  the  Vass  cotton  niills,  his 
lines  called  for  metes  and  bounds  of  still  earlier  grants. 
Lands  entered  in  the  neighborhood  of  Union  about  1760 
call  for  the  boundaries  of  still  earlier  entries.  The  writer 
regrets  that  his  attention  was  called  to  the  grants  too  late 
for  him  to  make  use  of  the  information  for  this  history. 
Another  evidence  not  only  of  the  ease  of  accessibility  but 
also  of  the  importance  of  this  settlement  is,  that  the  first 
court  of  I'.Ioore  county  was  held  at  Kitchen  Springs,  three 
miles  East  of  Union,  in  1784. 

To  the  glory  of  the  Scotch  settlers  they  erected  the 
family  altar  in  their  new  home  in  this  boundless  wilderness, 
and  as  had  been  their  custom  forsook  not  the  assemblying 
of  themselves  together  for  the  worship  of  God  on  the  Sab- 
bath day.  There  has  been  preaching  in  the  neighborhood 
of  Union  for  about  One  Hundred  and  Twenty-five  years, 
and  tradition  says  there  were  services  held  at  irregular 
times  for  several  years  before  the  Revolutionary  war.  The 
minister  who  serve  J  the  outlying  settlements  had  no  means 


History  of  Union.  5 

of  sending  appointments  ahead,  so  when  the  preacher 
reached  a  neighborhood,  boys  would  be  sent  out  on  horse- 
back for  miles  around  to  announce  the  hour  of  service. 
The  only  ministers  who  could  be  referred  to  are  Rev. 
James  Campbell  and  Rev.  John  IvIcLeod.  Rev.  James 
Campbell  came  to  the  Cape  Fear  settlements  in  1753,  and 
preached  regularly  at  Bluff,  Longstreet  and  Barbecue  until 
his  death  in  1781.  He  also  made  frequent  visits  to  the 
outlying  settlements  in  Cumberland  and  Robeson  counties. 
Rev.  John  McLeod  came  over  from  Scotland  in  1770  in 
company  with  a  large  number  of  Highland  families  which 
settled  on  Upper  and  Lower  Little  rivers  in  what  was 
then  known  as  Cumberland  county.  He  ministered  to 
these  people  for  several  years.  In  the  latter  part  of  the 
'70' s  he  sailed  for  Scotland,  and  as  he  was  never  heard  of 
again  it  is  believed  that  he  sleeps  in  a  watery  grave. 
Aside  from  tradition,  established  by  cumulative  evidence, 
it  would  be  hard  to  believe  that  these  earnest  and  conse- 
crated men  of  God  would  fail  to  visit  so  large  a  settlement 
of  their  own  people  or  neglect  so  strategic  a  point  as  the 
only  confluence  of  the  three  most  important  highways  of 
commerce  and  travel.  I  offer  the  suggestion  that  probably 
the  name  of  the  church  had  its  origin  in  the  crossing,  or 
union,  of  these  three  great  roads  at  this  point. 

I  am  satisfied  in  my  own  mind,  after  a  careful  consid- 
eration of  the  traditions  as  well  as  of  a  more  intimate 
knowledge  of  the  devout  character  of  the  early  Scotch, 
that  from  the  very  beginning  of  each  settlement  religious 
services  were  held  at  some  convenient  point,  under  the 
leadership  of  elders.  At  irregular  times  they  would  be 
able  to  secure  the  services  of  a  preacher,  who  would 
administer  baptisms  and  the  sacrament  of  the  Lord's 
Supper.  Out  of  these  services,  no  doubt,  have  grown  the 
church  organizations  of  Buffalo,  Union,  Bethesda  and  Ben- 
salem.  It  is  a  well  known  fact  that  men  lose  their  religious 
feehng  through  the  neglect  of  public  worship.  But  we 
have  no  indication  of  moral  degeneration  or  spiritual  decay 
among  the  Scotch,  which  would  have  been  inevitable  if  the 


6  History  of  Union. 

many  Scotch  settlements  had  been  without  religious  ser- 
vices for  three  score  years  and  ten,  as  a  casual  reader 
would  infer  from  the  silence  of  history.  Doubtless  Rev. 
James  Campbell  remembered  the  method  employed  by 
John  Knox  in  the  beginning  of  the  Presbyterian  church. 

When  Scotland  turned  to  Protestantism  every  village 
and  hamlet  cried  out  for  the  preached  Word.  There  were 
not  enough  ministers  to  supply  the  demand.  John  Knox 
divided  Scotland  into  Ecclesiastical  Districts  and  appointed 
a  minister  or  evangelist  over  each  division  to  visit  the 
churches,  to  baptize  the  children,  receive  members  into 
the  church  and  administer  the  communion.  The  regular 
Sabbath  day  worship  v/as  led  by  the  local  elders.  He  pre- 
pared a  liturgy  for  their  use.  Though  not  stated,  one 
would  infer  from  reading  Foote's  "Sketches"  that  Rev. 
James  Campbell  inaugurated  a  somewhat  similar  plan 
throughout  the  Scotch  settlements.  When  we  remember 
the  demoralization  of  the  Revolution,  the  fierce  hatred  of 
a  cruel  internecine  warfare  through  which  the  Scotch  set" 
tlements  passed,  the  devout  character,  the  deep  piety,  the 
family  altar,  the  catechetical  instruction  of  the  children, 
and  the  strict  observance  of  the  Lord's  Day,  can  be  ex- 
plained in  no  other  way  than  that  every  Scotch  community 
had  its  place  of  meeting  for  the  service  of  God  upon  the 
Sabbath  day. 

The  Presbyterial  work  at  Union  began  in  1796,  when 
Orange  Presbytery  sent  Rev.  W.  D.  Paisley  to  serve  the 
people  in  the  congregations  now  known  as  Buffalo,  Union 
and  Bethesda.  He  first  held  services  in  the  residence  of 
Archibald  Reed,  who  lived  about  one  mile  Northeast  of  the 
present  site  of  the  church.  Mr.  Rood  operated  a  wagon 
and  blacksmith  shop  and  was  a  man  of  considerable  wealth 
and  influence  in  the  community.  His  place  is  now  known 
as  the  Sloan  place.  Union  church  was  organized  in  1797 
with  the  following  bench  of  elders:  Walter  Macbeth. 
Zachariah  Graham,  Duncan  Patterson,  John  Blue  and  Col. 
A.  McDougald.  After  these,  John  McKenzie,  Donald  Blue 
and  Martin  McPherson  were  made  elders.     The  congrega- 


History  of  Union.  7 

tion  erected  the  first  church,  a  log  house,  in  1798.  This 
church  was  situated  on  Crane's  creek,  by  a  spring,  across 
the  field  from  the  present  site  of  the  church.  This  church 
stood  on  the  property  of  Mr.  Archibald  Reed.  The  building 
becoming  too  small  for  the  congregation  a  second  log 
church  was  erected  by  Hugh  and  Donald  Mclnnis.  The 
date,  however,  is  unknown.  This  church  was  built  near 
the  present  location  in  the  present  bounds  of  the  cemetery 
near  the  big  wagon  road.  The  property  was  given  by  Mrs. 
Eliza  M.  Rowan.  An  interestmg  fact  may  also  be  noted — 
a  log  session  house  was  also  built,  which  was  used  during 
the  life  time  of  three  church  buildings.  Rev.  W.  D.  Paisley 
was  called  as  pastor  of  Union  and  Buffalo  churches  March 
the  8th,  1799,  and  was  ordained  and  installed  pastor  at 
Buffalo  May  10,  1799.  Mr.  Pai-ley  was  much  beloved  by 
his  congregations,  but  he  was  hampered  in  his  work  by  the 
fact  that  he  could  no:  speak  the  Gaelic,  while  many  of  his 
people  could  not  understand  English.  Resigning  his  work 
here  Septe  nber  the  4th,  1800,  he  accepted  the  pastorate  at 
Cross  Roads  and  Hawfields,  in  Orange  county.  He  settled 
in  Greensboro,  N.  C  ,  in  1820,  organized  the  church  at 
that  place  and  served  it  as  pastor  until  1842.  Mr.  Paisley 
was  born  in  Guilford  county.  North  Carolina,  on  the  26th 
of  October,  1770  He  received  his  training  both  literary 
and  theological  from  his  pastor.  Rev.  David  Caldwell,  D 
D  'In  person.  Father  Paisley  was  low,  rather  thick  set 
and  muscular.  His  habits  were  always  active.  During 
the  larger  part  of  his  ministry  hfi  rode  on  horseback  to  his 
appointments,  some  times  twenty  miles  on  the  Sabbath 
morning,  back  home  again  after  preaching  two  sermons. 
He  labored  very  extensively  and  successfully  in  camp 
meetings,  which  were  common  during  the  years  of  his 
active  ministry.  During  one  of  these  meetings  he  labored 
so  intensely  that  he  retired  late  and  lay  down  in  the  grove 
on  the  ground  to  sleep,  when  one  of  his  elders  passing  by 
tried  to  arouse  him.  He  said,  'Come  lie  down  here;  it  is  a 
good  place  to  rest  and  there  is  room.'  It  was  with  difficulty 
that  he  could  be  persuaded  to  go  to  the  house  for  the  night. 


8  History  of  Union. 

so  sweet  was  his  rest.  Father  Paisley  was  not  a  man  of 
great  learning,  nor  were  his  sermons  elaborately  prepared. 
He  was  a  man  of  zeal  and  energy  In  speaking  he  had  the 
advantage  of  a  strong  and  flexible  voice.  He  preached  ex 
tempore  and  was  animated,  impressive  and  popular.  He 
will  be  remembered  by  all  who  knew  him  as  particularly 
tender  and  importunate  in  public  prayer.  His  was  a  green 
old  age  and  a  calm  and  beautiful  death."  He  died  in 
Greensboro,  N.  C,  on  the  8th  of  March,  1857. 

John  Gillespie,  the  Second  pastor,  was  licensed  at  New 
Hope  church,  in  Orange  county,  November  20th,  1795.  He 
accepted  a  call  from  the  churches  of  Centre,  Laurel  Hill 
and  Raft  Swamp  in  1797.  He  began  to  supply  Union 
church  in  1800,  which  he  continued  to  serve  until  1804. 
The  minutes  of  Prcisbycery  and  Synod  show  that  Mr.  Gil- 
lespie was  a  very  active  and  useful  man;  that  he  was  often 
moderator  and  clerk  of  Presbytery  and  served  on  many 
commissions  of  the  church  courts.  There  is  no  record  of 
his  field  of  labor  from  1804  to  hi?  dismission  to  Abingdon 
Presbytery  in  1810  We  have  no  record  of  him  after  the 
fall  of  1810,  at  which  time  he  waj  dismissed  to  Transyl- 
vania Presbytery.  Tradition  tells  us  but  little  of  his  work 
at  Union,  which  covered  the  period  of  the  great  revival  of 
1801.  Union  wfis  profoundly  stirred  by  this  revival,  the 
effects  of  which  long  lived  in  the  Christian  character  of 
the  people  and  was  transmitted  to  their  posterity. 

The  Third  pastor  was  Rev.  Murdock  McMillan,  who 
was  born  in  Robeson  county  in  177G.  His  first  schooling 
was  under  the  tuition  of  a  Mr.  Nelson,  a  local  teacher.  He 
also  attended  Dr.  McCorkle's  Academy  in  Rowan  county. 
His  classical  and  theological  training  was  taken  under  Rev. 
David  Caldwell,  D.  D.,  in  Guilford  county.  He  was 
licensed  by  Orange  Presbytery  at  Barbecue  church  March 
27th,  1801.  Mr.  McMillan  was  ordained  and  installed 
pastor  of  Union,  Buffalo  and  Bethesda  churches  at  Union 
on  the  27th  day  of  July,  1804,  and  remained  pastor  of  Union 
until  1830.  At  the  time  he  received  a  call  from  these 
churches  he  taught  a  classical   school   at  Solemn   Grove, 


History  of  Union.  9 

known  as  the  Solemn  Grove  Academy,  about  two  miles 
East  of  the  present  site  of  Bethesda  church.  Upon 
accepting  these  calls  he  removed  his  residence  from  Solemn 
Grove  to  Deep  river,  near  the  present  site  of  the  town  of 
Carbonton.  Here  he  inaugurated  a  classical  school,  which 
he  Laught  for  years.  It  was  known  as  the  Academy,  and 
became  famous  throughout  this  section.  He  preached  in 
the  Academy  on  Sunday  nights,  which  resulted  in  the 
organization  of  Euphronia  church  in  1819.  Being  a  fluent 
speaker  in  both  English  and  the  Gaelic,  he  held  two  services 
on  the  Sabbath,  one  in  each  language,  with  an  intermission 
betv/een  the  services.  This  custom  continued  for  several 
decades.  During  the  later  years  of  Mr.  McMillan's  pastor- 
ate, Mr.  John  McNeill  was  the  presenter  for  the  English 
service  and  his  brother,  Mr.  Daniel  McNeill,  lead  the  singing 
in  the  Gaelic.  Union  developed  so  rapidly  under  his  pastorate 
that  the  congregation  felt  the  need  of  a  larger  house  of 
worship,  so  they  erected  a  frame  building  in  1813.  This 
church  stood  in  the  Southwest  portion  of  the  present 
cemetery  and  was  erected  by  Mr.  Duncan  Buie.  Unfortu- 
nately the  sessional  records  covering  this  period  have  been 
lost,  therefore  it  is  impossible  to  glean  from  this  source 
items  of  interest  concerning  this  the  longest  pastorate  in 
the  history  of  the  church.  Tradition  tells  us  that  he 
labored  with  much  success  and  satisfaction  to  the  congre- 
gation and  that  he  was  much  beloved  by  an  appreciative 
people.  Rev.  Dr  Hall,  in  a  report  to  the  Synod,  says, 
"That  Murdock  McMillan  was  a  man  fortiter  in  re,  a  reso- 
lute man  mdeed. "  This  is  proven  by  a  bold  rebuke  admin- 
istered to  the  young  women  in  the  congregation.  It  seems 
that  it  was  a  custom  for  the  young  ladies  to  attend  the 
sessions  of  the  court.  In  his  sermon  on  propriety  he 
exclaimed,  "0,  shame  that  our  young  women  lower  them- 
selves by  attending  the  sessions  of  court."  Doubtless  his 
rebuke  vvas  not  without  effect,  as  the  custom  has  long  since 
passed  away.  Mr.  McMillan  was  a  faithful  Presbyter.  He 
was  elected  treasurer  of  Orange  Presbytery  in  1809,  and 
was  oi.eof  the  charter  members  of  Fayetteville  Presbytery, 


10  History  of  Union. 

which  was  organized  at  Centre  church  in  1813.  There  is  a 
a  tradition  in  his  family  that  he  preached  the  first  sermon 
ever  delivered  whore  the  city  of  Memphis  now  stands.  If 
this  be  an  historical  fact,  he  must  have  visited  that  region 
before  permanently  removing  to  Tennessee  in  1830,  for  the 
city  of  Memphis  was  laid  out  in  1820.  The  fact  that  he 
was  absent  from  both  the  Spring  and  Fall  meetings  of 
Fayetteville  Presbytery  in  1820  tends  to  confirm  the  above 
conjecture.  He  resigned  as  pastor  of  Union  in  1830  and 
was  dismissed  October  the  7th,  1831,  to  the  Western  Dis- 
trict Presbytery  in  Tennessee.  He  died  near  Memphis  at 
a  ripe  old  age. 

In  reply  to  a  question  as  to  the  number  of  people 
pres<  nt  on  a  certain  occasion  at  Union  one  of  the  oldest 
members  now  living  replied,  "It  was  nothing  unusual  for 
a  large  crowd  to  attend  preaching  at  Union  on  ordinary 
occi^sions  in  those  days."  The  people  Vv'alked  to  church  fr r 
miles  around  and  on  communion  occasions  coming  from 
Buffalo,  Cypress,  Bethesda  and  Bensalem  congregations. 
The  old  people  rode  horseback  to  church,  for  buggies  at 
that  time  were  unknown.  On  a  Sabbath  morning  along 
every  road  as  the  people  drew  nearer  the  church  the 
crowds  would  be  increased  in  numbers  by  parties  joining 
them  from  every  by-path  along  the  way.  Just  before 
reaching  the  church  ground.'?  they  would  stop  to  put  on 
their  shoes  These  spots  were  known  as  "Settin'  down 
places,"  So  universal  was  this  custom  that  families  had 
certain  logs  or  rocks  as  their  ''Settin'  down  place"  and 
none  dared  to  trespass. 

It  is  not  known  positively  who  was  the  first  man  to 
attend  church  in  a  vehicle.  Some  say  thatMaj.  McDougald, 
who  lived  near  the  present  site  of  Cameron,  came  to  church 
one  morning  driving  a  two-wheeled  gig  or  sulkey.  while 
others  say  that  Rsv.  Colon  Mclver,  who  owned  a  stick  gig, 
brought  I  he  first  vehicle  to  services  ai  Union.  However, 
a  farm  vehicle  known  as  a  truck  wagon  had  been  in  use 
for  many  years.  The  wheels  of  this  wagon  were  solid 
blocks  of  wood  sawed  out  of  seasoned  black  gum  logs.     At 


REV.  MARTIN  McQL'EEN 
Pastor  IH64   IHW 


History  of  Union.  11 

first  these  wagons  had  no  tongues.  A  hickory  saplin  with 
the  small  end  twisced  around  the  rear  axle  was  let  drag  on 
the  ground  behind  and  when  going  down  hill  some  one 
would  scotch  the  wagon  by  pulling  back  on  this  hickory 
saplin  for  dear  life.  It  was  left  to  the  genius  of  a  tailor 
by  the  name  of  Daniel  Kelly  to  invent  a  tongue  for  the 
track  wagon  which  ended  the  days  of  the  saplin  brake. 

The  inovation  of  the  stick  gig  was  soon  followed  by 
the  presence  of  a  magnificent  carriage  on  the  church 
grounds.  Mr.  Thomas  Reed,  the  son  of  Archibald  Reed,  a 
wagon  maker  by  trade  as  was  his  father,  was  the  happy 
owner  of  this  luxurious  carriage.  The  day  he  drove  up 
with  his  family  and  negro  driver  marked  the  beginning  of 
a  new  era.  His  friend  and  close-by  neighbor,  Mr.  Rowan, 
silently  rebuked  this  show  of  vanity  at  the  next  service. 
Mr.  Rowan  lived  at  the  point  where  the  Pee  Dee  road 
comes  into  the  Big  Wagon  Road  about  Seventy-five  to  a 
Hundred  yards  from  the  church.  On  this  particular  Sab- 
bath day  Mr  Rowan,  hitching  his  team  to  his  truck  wagon 
and  putting  his  negro  Henry  up  in  front  to  drive,  patiently 
waited  for  Mr.  Reed  to  come  along  the  Pee  Dee  road  on 
the  way  to  church.  He  quietly  fell  in  behind  the  grand 
carriage  of  his  neighbor  and  followed  him  in  dignity  the 
short  distance  to  the  church  and  hitched  his  team  :iear 
that  of  his  friend  Reed  Tradition  fails  to  say  svhether  or 
not  the  session  rebuked  Mr  Rowan  for  inciting  levity  on 
the  Sabbath  day.  The  wheels  of  this  old  wagon  are  now 
in  the  posseysion  of  his  grandson,  Mr  R.  D.  Rowan. 

The  Fourth  pastor  was  the  Rev.  Angus  McCallum,  v/ho 
was  born  near  Phiiadalphus  church,  in  Robeson  county, 
October  4,  1801  After  graduating  from  Bingham's  school 
he  was  taken  vrnder  the  care  of  Fayetteville  Presbytery  as 
a  candidate  for  ths  ministry.  He  was  graduated  fro;n 
Union  Theological  Seminary  and  licensed  by  Fayetteville 
Presbytery  at  Ashpole  church  in  1830.  In  1838  he  removed 
to  the  Presbytery  of  Tombeckbee  and  in  1848  to  Mississippi 
Presbytery  where  he  remained  in  the  active  ministry  until 
liis  de'ith  at  Union  Springs,  Mississippi,  October   27,  1885. 


12  History  of  Union. 

During  his  pastorate  of  Union  Mr.  McCallum  lived  on  Deep 
river  near  Carbonton,  v^here  he  also  continued  the  classic 
academy  founded  by  Rev.  Murdock  McMillan.  He  was 
assisted  in  nis  school  work  by  his  devoted  wife. 

The  call  from  Union,  Buffalo  and  Euphronia  churches 
was  presented  to  Presbytery  by  William  Shaw,  an  elder  in 
Union  church,  who  represented  the  three  congregations. 
Mr.  Duncan  Mclver.  an  elder  in  the  Buffalo  church,  entered 
his  solemn  protest,  "On  the  ground  of  several  families  in 
the  above  named  congregations  who  had  been  members  of 
these  churches  for  many  years  could  derive  no  benefit 
whatever  from  the  administrations  of  Mr.  McCallum 
because  of  their  ignorance  of  the  English  language,  and 
Mr.  McCailum's  inability  to  preach  to  them  in  their  native 
tongue,  the  Gaslic."  Presbytery  overruled  the  objection 
and  appointed  a  committee  consisting  or  Rev  Allen 
McDonald  presiding,  Rev.  Alex  Mclver  to  deliver  the 
charge  to  the  minister,  and  Rev.  Colon  Mclver  to  charge 
the  people,  who  ordained  and  installed  Mr.  McCallum 
pastor  of  the  three  churches  at  the  one  service  held  at 
Buffalo  church  on  Saturday,  December  the  3rd.  1831.  No 
minister  for  the  number  of  years  he  served  as  pastor  has 
accomplished  greater  results  than  Mr.  McCallum. 

The  greatest  revival  in  the  history  of  the  church  was 
held  during  his  pastorate.  It  is  known  as  the  great  revival 
of  1833.  It  continued  in  unabated  zeal  for  two  years  and 
was  attended  with  considerable  physical  exertion  and  noise. 
At  first,  Mr.  McCallum  endeavored  to  suppress  the  noise, 
but  becoming  convinced  that  the  manifestations  were  the 
work  of  the  Spirit  of  God  he  threw  himself  into  the  meet- 
ings. This  revival  extended  into  the  congregations  of 
Cypress,  Buffalo,  Euphronia,  Bensalem,  Mineral  Springs 
and  Bethesda.  It  is  estimated  that  over  Five  Hundred 
people  joined  these  churches  as  a  result  of  this  season  of 
Grace,  while  more  than  Three  Hundred  joined  Union 
church.  Ih  a  letter  to  his  father,  Mr.  Archibald  McCallum, 
dated  Sept.  18th,  1883,  Mr.  McCallum  speaks  of  the  revival 
in  these  words:  "I  preach  three  or  four  times  every  week. 


History  of  Union.  13 

besides  attending  inquiry  mpetings  and  doing  much  neces- 
sary riding.  During  the  last  two  weeks  I  have  been  at 
home  about  three  days.  I  am  from  home  the  greater  part 
of  my  time;  yet  my  health  continues  good  despite  my 
excessive  labors.  Our  meetings  are  crowded  day  and  night, 
and  many  profess  to  have  passed  from  death  unto  life. 
Between  Forty  and  Fifty  have  met  the  session  and  many 
others  are  entertaining  a  hope  and  intend  yet  to  come.  I 
hope  by  our  next  meeting,  which  will  be  on  the  Second 
Sabbath  in  November,  that  we  shall  have  another  Hundred 
or  more  added  to  the  church.  The  last  Sabbath  at  Union 
was,  I  think,  the  most  interesting  I  ever  saw.  There  were 
about  Fifteen  who  professed  having  experienced  a  change 
of  heart,  and  on  the  following  Wednesday  there  were 
Seven  additions  at  Buffalo.  We  hardly  have  a  meeting  at 
which  there  are  no  additions,  and  some  of  the  subjects  are 
of  the  most  wicked  and  profligate  characters  in  the  county. 
There  came  a  few  days  ago  one  who  was  the  ringleader  in 
e/ery  vice  and  his  conviction  seemed  to  have  been  signally 
marked  from  the  beginning." 

The  effect  of  the  meeting  on  the  worshipers  manifested 
itself  in  peculiar  physical  exercises.  Men  and  women 
would  f  dll  down  and  remain  prostrated  for  hours  at  a  time, 
and  when  they  arose  it  was  with  shouts  of  praise  to  God. 
They  seemed  to  remember  nothing  of  what  passed  during 
their  prostration.  Mr.  McCallum  was  assisted  in  this 
revival  by  Rev  Messrs.  W  D.  Paisley,  E.  McNair,  John 
Warmack.  Father  McQueen  states  in  his  notes  that  one 
of  his  elders,  who  was  an  eye  witness,  says,  "That  the 
revival  was  closed  by  a  delegation  of  ministers  from  one 
of  the  upper  Presbyteries  on  their  way  to  the  Synod  in 
Wilmington.  Among  them  was  a  Rev.  Mr.  Russell  who 
preached  against  it.  Before  he  preached  more  than  Fifty 
presented  themselves  at  the  anxious  seat  apparently  in 
deep  distress  But  after  Mr  Russell  preached,  ihe  few 
whoacepted  the  invitation  were  not  much  concerned 
Here  we  may  say  the  revival  stopped  These  are  simple 
statements  which  we  know  to  be  true,  and  w?.  leave  others 


14  History  of  Union. 

to  judge  for  themselves."  Father  McQueen  continues: 
"The  fruits  of  this  revival  we'-e  permanent  and  glorious. 
True,  some  made  mistakes  and  others  shipwrecks,  but  the 
^reat  bulk  of  converts  proved  to  be  true  disciples.  Of  thf 
precious  fruits  of  this  revival  five  became  ministers  of  the 
gospel  viz:  H  A  Monroe,  D.  A.  Campbell,  N.  McDonald,  A. 
Currie  and  D.  B.  Black.  Besides  these,  many  of  the  elders 
and  deacons  not  only  of  Union  but  of  the  surrounding 
churches  were  th3  fruits  of  this  meeting."  The  report  of 
these  churches  to  the  Synod  in  1833  says:  "These  churches 
liave  been  refreshed  with  the  dews  of  heaven."  During 
Mr.  McCallum's  pastorate  elders  John  McKenzie,  John 
Black  and  John  Blue  died  and  Walter  Macbeth  and  Angus 
Ferguson  removed  to  the  West.  He  ordained  David 
McDonald,  Norman  Fergus'jn  and  John  Ferguson  as  elder*. 
Mr.  McCallum  spoke  ex  tempore  and  was  an  eloquent 
speaker.  One  of  the  old  members  who  heard  him  on  a 
return  visit  said,  "That  he  was  a  'hair  raiser,'  so  impas- 
sioned was  his  delivery'"  He  was  dearly  beloved  by  the 
congregation,  and  they  gave  him  up  with  great  sorrow. 

The  Fifth  pastor  of  Union  was  Rev.  Samuel  Paisley,  of 
Orange  Presbytery,  the  son  of  Rev.  W.  D.  Paisley,  who 
organized  Union  church.  Rev.  Samuel  Paisley  was  ordained 
pastor  of  Union,  Buffalo  and  Euphronia  churches  by  a  com- 
mittee of  Presbytery  consisting  of  Rev.  Messrs.  Colon 
Mclver,  William  Peacock  and  Hugh  McLaurin  on  the  i)th 
day  of  September,  1838.  He  remained  pastor  until  October 
the  25th,  1848,  wher  he  resigned  by  reason  of  the  infirmi- 
ties of  old  age  which  made  it  impossible  for  him  to  serve 
effectively  so  large  a  field.  He  continued  to  serve  Euphronia 
church  for  some  years.  He  died  at  his  home  on  the  Plank 
road,  in  Moore  county,  in  the  bounds  of  Euphronia  church, 
in  1864.  Synod  failed,  no  doubt  due  to  the  uncertainty 
and  confusion  of  the  closing  days  of  the  war.  to  prepare  a 
memorial  of  his  life's  work.  He  was  licensed  by  Orange 
Presbytery  at  Buffalo  church  Mnrch  27.  1801.  Mr.  Paisley 
was  a  faithful  and  zealous  preacher  and  earnest  pastor.  He 
brought  back  into  use  the  old   custom   of  announcing   the 


•V 


History  of  Union.  15 

appointments  of  service,  "This  day  three  weeks  you  may 
expect  me  again,  Providence  permitting."  When  Mr. 
Paisley  became  pastor  the  bench  of  elders  consisted  of 
Messrs.  William  Shaw,  Daniel  Blue,  Daniel  McKc-itben, 
Joho  Patterson,  James  Cole,  Daniel  McDonald,  Kenneth 
Black,  Norman  Ferguson  and  John  Ferguson  It  is  a 
matter  of  historical  note  that  Mr.  Paisley  ordained  the  first 
board  of  deacons  in  Union  church,  who  were  J.  B.  Black, 
H.  Leach,  N.  B.  McDonald,  Donald  McDonald  and  A.  B. 
Currie  (later  an  elder  in  the  Bensalem  church).  Mr.  Paisley 
lived  on  the  Plank  road  a  short  distance  above  the  present 
Centre  Methodist  church.  The  property  is  now  owLed  by 
Mr.  J.  S.  Spivey.  During  Mr.  Paisley's  pastorate  the 
congregation  had  so  outgrown  the  church  that  it  became 
necessary  to  erect  a  larger  building.  This  church  v/as 
located  near  where  the  present  church  stands,  and  was 
built  by  Norman  McDonald  and  James  T.  Ritter  in  1840. 
Mr.  Paisley  bought  the  old  church  and  moved  it  to  his  farm 
where  he  used  it  as  a  barn. 

The  Sixth  minister  to  supply  Union  was  Rev.  A.  C. 
McNeill,  who  preached  from  1849  until  January,  1851, 
when  he  moved  to  South  Alabama  Presbytery.  It  was 
during  his  pastorate  that  the  Carthage  church  was  organ- 
ized. Mr  McNeill  ordained  to  the  eldership  Alex.  Kelly, 
I.  H.  Rowan,  P.  M.  Blue  and  J.  B.  Black.  Mr.  McNeill 
was  much  beloved  by  his  congregation. 

The  Seventh  pastor  was  Rev.  W.  H.  Hogshead,  of  East 
Hanover  Presbytery,  Virginia,  who  began  his  u  ork  in  July, 
1851,  and  continued  as  pastor  of  Union  and  Carthage 
churches,  labored  with  great  zeal  and  fidelity  until  his 
death  July  13,  1855.  Mr.  Hogshead  made  a  deep  impression 
upon  the  people.  He  was  a  strong  preacher,  a  famous 
singer,  a  wise  disciplinarian,  and  his  doctrinal  sermons 
made  him  famous  throughout  this  section.  Mr.  Hogshead 
owned  what  is  now  known  as  the  old  Battley  place.  One 
mile  East  of  Carthage.  It  is  now  owned  by  Mr.  J.  M. 
Barrett.  Mr.  Hogshead  introduced  regular  preaching  days. 
First  and   Third  Sundays  at  Carthage,  the   Second  and 


IG  History  of  Union. 

Fourth  Sundays  at  Union  He  taught  the  people  to  be 
present  on  these  days  without  the  necessity  of  a  previous 
announcement.  Mr,  Hogshead  now  sleeps  in  the  cemetery 
at  Union  where  he  has  been  joined  by  nearly  all  those 
u  hom  he  served  as  pastor. 

The  Eighth  pastor  was  Rev.  Daniel  McGilvary,  a  native 
of  Moore  county,  who  was  born  in  Buffalo  congregation 
May  the  16th,  1828.  Mr.  McGilvary's  mother  died  when 
he  was  but  a  few  days  old;  a  kind  neighbor,  a  Mrs.  Shep 
perd,  who  was  the  mother  o^  an  infant  daughter,  gave  him 
nurse.  This  daughter  afterwards  married  Mr.  Joe  Shields. 
She  resides  at  her  home  near  Priest  Hill  and  is  now  the 
only  living  charter  member  of  Carthage  church. 

After  77  years  Dr  McGilvary  and  Mrs.  Shields  met 
again  in  the  Carthage  Presbyterian  church  in  1905.  At  the 
close  of  a  most  impressive  service  the  many  friends  gath 
ered  around  the  venerable  missionary  to  pay  their  respects 
of  love  and  esteem.  No  more  touching  scene  was  ever  wit- 
nessed than  the  meeting  of  these  two  old  servants  of  God. 
The  mingling  of  their  tears  in  greeting  refreshed  their 
memories  of  that  mother's  tender  love  on  whose  breast 
they,  in  infancy,  were  nourished. 

Dr.  McGilvary  was  educated  at  Bingham  school,  grad- 
uated I'rom  the  University  of  North  Cai'olina  and  Princeton 
Seminary.  He  was  licensed  by  Orange  Presbytery,  and 
began  to  supply  Union  and  Carthage  churches  in  the 
summer  of  1856.  On  the  27th  of  December,  1857,  he  closed 
a  successful  ministry  of  18  months,  made  notable  by  a 
most  gracious  revival  which  resulted  in  ov<  r  50  additions 
to  the  church. 

Dr.  McGilvary  made  his  home  with  Mr  T.  B.  Tyson. 

Having  offered  himself  to  the  Board  of  Foreign  Mis- 
sions and  being  accepted  September  14th,  1857,  Dr.  McGil- 
vary sailed  for  Siam  March  11th,  1858.  He  has  labored 
continuously,  and  with  marked  success,  among  the  Laos  in 
Siam  since  1866.  When  the  Southern  Assembly  was 
established,  the  foreign  work  was  divided  between  the 
churches,  Siam  being  allotted  to  the   Northern    Assembly, 


History  of  Union.  17 

Dr.  McGilvary  remained  with  the  mother  church. 

The  folio winif  obituary,  which  will  be  of  interest  to  many, 
is  copied  from  the  North  Carolina  Presbyterian  of  October 
9th,  1858:  "At  his  residence  in  Moore  county  on  the  23rd 
day  of  August,  in  the  93rd  yea<  of  his  age,  Mr.  John  Pat- 
terson. The  deceased  was  the  son  of  Duncan  Patterson,  who 
came  to  tliis  country  frona  Scotland,  and  settled  in  Moore 
county,  n;  ar  Union  Church,  he  was  made  a  ruhujj  elder, 
when  the  church  was  first  orjjranized  at  that  place.  The 
deceased  was  subject  of  the  iireat  revival  of  1800,  and  was 
very  soon  after  made  an  elder  in  the  same  church,  alon^ 
with  h  s  father.  Ht^  had  lo  pass  through  great  afflictions 
but  was  enabled  to  endure  them  all  as  a  good  soldier  of  the 
Cros'J.  lie  never  was  known  to  neglef;t  family  worship,  and 
in  conducting  this  delightful  exercise  he  commenced  at  the 
beginning  and  went  on  through,  and  b.y  this  course  he 
went  through  the  Bible  several  times.  Hs  died  as  he  had 
lived  in  the  full  triunaphs  of  the  Gospel  Faith." 

The  firsi  grist  mill  in  the  Union  congregation  was  owned 
by  Duncan  Patterson,  father  of  the  subject  of  the  foregomg 
sKetch.  Doubtless  no  one  living  has  t^ver  seeij  a  mill  hke 
it.  The  grinding  was  done  in  a  mortar  and  pestle.  The 
mortar  was  carved  out  of  a  aoUd  block  of  wood  and  pestle 
drawn  to  a  nice  fit.  A  lever  with  a  ;oug  arc.-  was  attached 
to  pcjtle  working  on  a  pivot,  and  a  troiigli  rested  on  the 
other  end  of  the  lever.  Water  was  conveyed  to  this  trough 
through  pipes  from  a  spring  on  a  hill.  When  the  water 
reached  a  certain  height  it  tilted  the  trough,  letting  the 
pestle  fall  into  the  mortar  with  a  thud.  As  the  water  con- 
tinued refilling  the  trough  this  process  would  be  repeated 
agaiu  and  again,  gradually  pounding  the  corn  into  fine  meal. 
One  day  Mr,  Patterson  heard  an  unusual  commotion  among 
his  hogs.  Upon  invesiigaiio"  h'^  found  that  while  the 
]>'^stle  was  rising  a  liog  v. ould  proci  ed  to  help  himself  to  the 
corn  in  the  mortar,  bal  the  su  Iden  fall  of  the  heavy 
weighted  nestle  would  break  its  neck,  hence  the  peculiar 
grunt  tnat  had  ai-outied  his  curiosi;y.  He  found  three  hogs 
already  dead,  and  several  otlu'rs  waiting    their   turn    to   end 


18  History  of  Union. 

tliis  oarthly  oxistonce  for  a  ruorsol  of  corn.  The  Duncan, 
Patterson  place  is  now  ovvni'd  by  Mr.  Noah  Deaton. 

The  Ninth  pastor.  Rev.  Georjje  A.  Russell,  A-as  born  in 
Oranpe  county,  Septemher  20th,  IS'27.  He  was  a  teacher 
for  soveral  years  befon-  entering  the  ministry.  Mr.  Russell 
graduated  from  Union  Seminary,  in  1857,  and  was  licensed 
by  Oranyfe  Presbytery  tho  same  year.  He  was  onlained  and 
installed  pastor  of  Union  and  Cart hajje  churcln's  Jan.  litl), 
1859,  and  served  them  until  Jan.  26th,  1804.  He  afterward 
served  churches  in  Tennessee,  Mississiupi,  and  Texns.  He 
died  Jan   IGth,  1902. 

Mr.  Rus.-ell  ordained  and  installed  the  followinjj:  elders: 
July  10th,  1859:  Dcnald  M.  McDonuld,  Dr.  William 
Arnold,  Neill  li.  McKoithen,  Daniel  Blue,  and  Donald  iCclIy, 
on  the  same  day  he  ordained  and  installed  the  follow inir 
deacons:  John  M.  N.  Feryfuson,  James  (rilchrisl,  Doujjald 
MoLfiuchlm,  Malcom  J.  Hluo.  and  John  P.  Fery^uson. 
Durini>  his  pastorate,  a  revival,  which  was  pervaded  i)y 
deep  nd  lender  fpf'l in «,»•,  made  a  liistin>f  impression  on  the 
coritrrejiation. 

Mr.  Rus>ell  was  a  zealous  and  faithful  minister  of  ilip 
(iospel.  11(^111(1  the  reputation  of  beinifa  close  student. 
Ho  was  lu'ld  in  hitrh  esteem  as  man  and  minister  i)y  the 
people. 

From  tinie  immemorial  it  had  been  the  custom  to  bury 
tiic  d«'ad,  and  at  some  convoniiMit  date  afi-erward.  preach  a 
meraoriHl  sermon  ot  the  deceased.  Mr.  Ru.s.sell  announced 
that  he  world  pi-«,Hch  no  funeral  sermons  (»xcepl  on  the  diiy 
of  burial.  H«  thus  l)ioke.  up  a  custom  the  beginniiu,"-  of 
■.vhich  went  buck  beyond  the  memory  of  those  livinij.  The 
custom,  however  of  taking- the  remains  into  th(»  church  for 
the  funeral  service  did  not  conje  into  practice  at  Union  unLiJ 
after  the  lime  of  Mr.  Russell.  Mr.  Rus.soll  al.so  made  his 
ln)me  wiih  Mr.  T.  H.  Tyson,  in  Carthaire. 

'I'he  Tenth  i)aslor  of  Union  was  Kcv.  Martin  McQueen, 
who  was  born  in  Ivobe^on  cour.ty,  Sept  26th,  1823.  He 
Kraduatrd  with  distinction  at  Davidson  Colleoe,  in  1S51,  and 
from  C'olumbia  'l'he(>lotrical  Seminary   Ihol.    He  was  licenseil. 


REV.  M.  McG.  SHIELDS 
Pastor  1891-1892 


History  of  Union.  19 

however,  b.y  PayetteviUe  Presbytery  in  September  1853. 
He  served  churches  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  Presbytery  for 
the  ten  ypars  of  his  ministry  before  takirji'  up  his  work  at 
Union.  He  entered  upon  his  work  at  Union  and  Carthage 
in  September  1864,  and  continued  his  work  until  his  death, 
March  the  24th,  188S. 

Time  and  spacw  fail  me  in  reiatinj;  the  life's  work  of 
this  mighty  man  of  God,  who  consecrated  his  hi^di  talents 
and  tireless  energy  to  t!ie  service  of  Him  lie  loved  so  well. 
Fresh  indeed  is  bis  memory  iu  the  hearts  of  those  who  loved 
him  so  dearly.  May  soraejne  with  a  more  gifted  pen  gather 
up  the  details  of  the  devout  life  of  this  Godly  man,  who 
.'-tamped  his  Christian  character  upon  moie  than  one  genera- 
tion. Ill  a  recent  conversation  with  an  adopted  citizen  of 
Carthaae,  he  said:  ''Wheu  I  came  to  Carthage  in  1880, 
there  wert  three  things  of  note  and  public  conversation. 
The  Moore  County  Court  House,  Union  Church,  and  Father 
McQueen."  When  Mr.  McQueen  took  up  the  work,  Daniel 
McK-ithen,  Donald  Blue,  Daniel  McDonald,  Joiin  B.  Black, 
P.  M.  Blue  and  I.  H.  Kosvan  constituted  the  bench  of  elders; 
E.  Kelly,  J  Gilchrist,  J.  M.  "S.  Ferguson,  N.  McDonald 
and  Captain  Hugh  Leach  composed  the  board  of  Deacons. 

On  the  13th  day  of  May  1866,  Mr.  McQueen  ordained 
and  installed  Ei^ander  ICelly,  John  C.  Ferguson  as  elders  and 
It.  A.  McLauchlin,  as  a  doacou.  Atter  this  he  installed  as 
deacons  John  K.  McLean,  Dr.  R.  McDonald,  and  A,  A.  Ray. 
On  Out.  24th,  1875,  N.  J.  Blue,  R.  D.  Rowan  were  install"d 
elders,  and  Duncan  A.  Blue  was  installed  deacon.  Saraue] 
E.  Johnson  was  added  to  the  eldership  March  23rd,  1879. 
On  May  23rd,  1886,  Mr.  McQueen  installed  Hut;h  Leach, 
Alexander  Monroe,  Daniel  McNeill,  elders,  and  Dwnean  C. 
McDonald,  Archibald  McDonald,  deacons.  The  following 
rntn  were  abo  installed  MS  deacons  by  Mr.  McQueen,  J.  H. 
McDonald  Feb.  19th,  1882;  Donald  D.  Kelly,  Daniel  McNeill, 
and  John  A.  Blue,  April  21st,  1883. 

The  church  suUered  the  lo.ss  of  a  large  number  of  mem- 
bers more  than  once  during  Mr.  McQueen's  ministry.  The 
negroe^  ^-arly  organizf-d  a   ciiurcii   to   themselves.     In    I879i 


20  History  of  Union. 

the  Cameron  church  was  organized,  d-awing  its  raerahership 
larirely  from  Union  church.  In  Ih.sl,  Union  irnve  r  large 
number  of  members  to  the  organization  of  si  church  at 
White  Hill.  In  1886,  Union  dismissed  several  monikers  to 
connect  themselves  with  the  church  to  l)e  organized  as  CuKlee. 
Notwitiistanditig  her  losses.  Union  continued  to  grow  in 
membership.  Becoming  again  crowded  for  room,  the  con- 
gregntion  erectod  the  present  comrijodious  building  in  ISHO. 
contracted  b.v  Juhn  Masseraore.  It  was  dedicuted  to  the 
wor-ship  of  God  by  the  beloved  Dr.  McGilvary  in  iS.S'i,  who 
wa.s  at  that  time  was  home  on  a  vacation. 

Mr.  McQueen  was  gifted  as  an  evangelist,  and  he  often 
li»>ld  s  >ries  of  meetings  in  his  churches.  There  is  one  re- 
vival, howner,  thai  is  rememl)ered  by  many  now  living. 
Ktv.  Mr.  VicQueen  was  assisted  in  p  meeting  in  September 
1878,  by  his  brother  Rev.  Archie  McQueen.  The  services 
continucu  for  [wo  weeks,  uml  over  (SO  professed  faith  in  the 
Loid  Jesus  Christ.  Many  young  people  were  among  the 
eohvoits  "How  happy  was  our  pastor  that  day,"  .>ay's  sm 
eye  witness,  "I  can  see  him  now  as  he  came  tiown  th»»  pulpir 
steps,  joining  his  fingers  together,  (a  familiar  gcsUiri'  of  hi-) 
with  that  dear  smile  we  all  lovod  to  see.  He  sai.l  "My 
young  friends  it  does  my  heart  gooil  to  see  you," — then 
broue  down.  Recovering  liimself.  \\o  said,  "Let  us  sing  a 
song  of  praise,  and  thank.sgiving  unto  (iod;  sing,  "Crown 
Hifu  Lord  of  Ail,"  and  sing  it  'is  loud  as  you  can."' 

Ri'V.  .Mr.  McQueen  received  oUO  members  into  tjio 
churches  ho  served  betore  he  came  to  Union.  He  received 
400  iiicnjlx-rs  into  Union  church,  and  500  members  into  Cnr 
Ihagi?,  Buffalo,  Hethesda,  Cameron  and  Culdee  churches. 
What  a  glorious  life's  work!  1200  members  and  countless 
s<,u]s  unnumbi?n^d  as  His  Master's  hire!  Hi'  says,  in  the  la-t 
sermon  which  he  prepared  but  never  liveil  to  deliver:  "■M<«si 
of  those  who  were  here  when  I  came  '24  years  hiio  have  g-inc 
to  till*  grave,  and  soon  others  niust  follow  them.  We  l)a|itize 
now  the  children  of  those  we  baptized  in  infancy.  ^Ve  have 
grown  into  one  large  family  bound  together  by  many  ties  of 
friendshii),  and  Chii^tiaii  love.     Willi  a  common    Father  and 


History  of  Union.  21 

Saviour,  Jesus  Christ,  with  one  common  hope  of  a  blessed 
immortality,  surely  we  share  many  reasons  for  fighting 
together  the  good  flght  of  iaith." 

In  the  memorial  adopted  by  Synod  we  find  these  words: 
"Mr.  McQueen  was  a  man  possessed  of  many  excellent  traits 
of  character.  He  was  genial  and  cordial  in  his  disposition, 
warm  hearted  in  in  his  friendship,  and  constant  in  his  attach- 
ments. As  a  preacher,  he  was  impassioned  and  eloquent. 
He  preached  Christ  and  His  Gospel  as  the  power  of  God  unto 
salvation.  He  might  properly  be  called  an  evangelist. 
His  preacWing  was  with  power  and  demonstration  of  the 
Spirit,  and  multitudes  were  convertt-d  under  his  ministry  who 
shall  be  stars  in  the  Redeemer's  crown,  forever  and  ever." 
He  was  buried  by  the  side  of  his  devoted  wife  in  ihe  cemetery 
at  Union.  Though  the  rain  fell  in  torrents  during  the  day 
of  his  burial,  it  is  doubted  if  Union  church  will  ever  again 
soe  as  large  a  concourse  of  people  within  her  walls  as  gath- 
ered there  that  day  to  pay  their  last  tribute  of  pffection  to 
their  beloved  pastor.  Amid  the  tears  of  a  heart  broken  people 
was  laid  to  rest  one  who  had  waged  a  noble  and  winning  fight 
for  righteousness  during  a  pastorate  of  Twenty-four  years. 

The  Scotch  have  always  laid  great  stress  upon  the  com- 
munion season.  Time  and  events  were  reckoned  in  those 
days  from  Spring  and  Fall  communions.  Preparatory  ser- 
vices were  held  on  Saturday,  and  m  former  days  two  sermons 
were  preached  on  Sunday,  with  a  short  intermission  between 
services  for  lunching.  In  the  pastorate  of  Father  McQueen 
the  growing  tendency  of  lookinar  upon  ihe  day  in  the  light  of 
a  picnic,  the  serving  of  elaborate  dinners,  the  youn;^:  people's 
remaining  out  in  the  grove  during  the  afternoon  service, 
caused  tlie  session  to  limit  the  preaching  on  communion  Sab- 
bath to  one  service  in  order  that  the  hallowed  and  sacred 
nature  of  this  season  of  Grace  might  be  maintained. 

The  following  ministers  supplied  the  churches  after  the 
death  of  Mr.  McQueen:  Rev.  A.  R.  Shaw,  D.  D.,  April  14, 
1888,  to  Oct.,  1888;  Rev.  Archibald  Currie,  1888  to  1889; 
Rev.  K.  A.  McLeod,  October  26th,  1889,  until  September 
14th,  1890.  On  March  29th,  1891,  Rev.  W.  F.  Thom,  pastor 


22  History  of  Union. 

of  the  Gulf  church,  ordained  and  installed  M.  D.  McNeill 
and  Martin  Blue,  as  elders,  and  D.  P  Kelly  and  Frances 
Deaton.  as  deacons.  Rev.  M.  McG.  Shields  supplied  the 
church  from  June  17th,  1891,  until  October,  1892.  He 
ir stalled  J.  L.  Currie  as  elder  on  Feb.  14th,  1892.  Rev. 
M.  N.  Mclver  supplied  the  church  from  May  19th,  1895, 
until  April  11th,  1898.  He  installed  J.  R.  McQueen  as  elder 
and  T.  B.  Phillips  as  deacon  on  July  11th,  1897.  Rev. 
McNeill  supplied  the  church  from  May  1st,  1898,  until 
April  20th,  1901.  During  Mr.  McNeill's  pastorate  Union 
gave  several  members  to  Manly,  which  was  organized  in 
1901. 

Rev.  John  K.  Roberts  was  called  to  the  pastorate  May 
18th,  1902.  He  began  his  work  June  12th,  1902,  though 
his  first  service  in  the  church  was  the  burial  of  Hon.  M.  J. 
Blue,  May  3rd,  1902.  He  was  installed  pastor  on  July  25, 
1902,  by  a  committee  of  Presbytery  consisting  of  Rev.  M 
D.  McNeill,  who  preached  the  sermon  and  charged  the 
pastor,  and  Hon.  J.  L.  Currie.  who  charged  the  people. 
Union  church  is  still  one  of  the  most  active  churches  in 
the  Presbytery,  doing  progressive  work  along  many  lines. 
She  has  Six  mission  Sunday  schools  \vithin  her  bounds, 
under  the  leadership  of  her  officers.  The  Ladies'  Mis- 
sionary Society  is  divided  into  three  community  districts, 
holding  monthly  meetings  for  the  study  of  missions.  They 
meet  quarterly  in  the  church  to  make  district  reports.  The 
young  people  have  organized  a  cotton  growing  association. 
The  active  members  are  limited  to  those  under  20  years  of 
age.  All  over  Twenty  are  admitted  as  associace  members. 
This  association  has  planted  its  third  crop  of  cotton,  having 
98  different  plots  in  cultivation  this  year.  On  Thanks- 
giving Day  of  each  year  the  cotton  growing  association 
meets  at  the  church  at  which  time  all  money  realized  from 
their  cotton  is  turned  into  the  treasury. 

The  present  officers  of  the  church  measure  up  to  the 
high  standard  of  excellence  as  set  by  those  who  served 
the  church  in  former  days.  Union  has  given  the  following 
ministers  to  the  church:     Duncan  Black.  Archibald  Currie, 


:,-:-5J 


REV.  M.  D.  McNElLL 
Pastor  1898-1901 


HISTORY  OF  Union.  23 

Daniel  Blue,  Duncan  McLean,  James  Kelly,  A.  N.  Fergu- 
son, Daniel  Kelly,  D.  M.  Mclver,  M.  D.  McNeill,  D.  A. 
Blue,  M.  J.  McLean,  A.  R.  McQueen,  J.  C.  Rowan,  R.  A. 
McLeod.  We  believe  that  Union  will  continue  to  give 
many  young  men  to  the  church  as  Heralds  of  the  Cross. 

Wnen  we  think  of  the  many  gracious  revivals  held  at 
Union,  the  Godly  ministers  who  have  served  this  pastorate, 
the  devout  elder«  who  have  ruled  so  well  in  spiritual  things, 
the  countless  members  who  have  been  born  into  the 
Master's  Kingdom,  well  may  we  exclaim  as  did  Father 
McQueen:  "Surely  old  Union  is  a  birth  place  of  souls." 
Union  is  not  only  serving  her  community  but  has  sent  out 
ministers,  elders  and  deacons  to  serve  other  churches  in 
many  States.  Has  her  glory  departed?  Yea,  verily  not, 
for  she  has  served  each  generation  in  her  history  accarding 
to  its  need,  and  she  is  now  serving  the  present  generation 
with  marked  success.  Notwithstanding  the  many  churches 
she  has  helped  in  membership,  she  still  has  209  on  the 
front  roll.  Five  cent  cotton  hurt  her  more  than  all  the 
churches  she  helped  to  organize,  for  it  has  left  her  as  her 
heritage  Forty  vacant  farms  on  which  once  dwelt  Presbyte- 
rian families.  Notwithstanding,  the  future  is  as  promising 
as  the  past  has  been  glorious.  It  will  not  be  long  before  her 
fertile  creek  bottoms  and  productive  uplands  will  be  cleared 
and  blossom  as  the  rose.  Union  will  well  serve  the  coming 
generations  if  she  remain  true  to  her  crucified  Lord.  The 
manner  of  her  serving,  however,  will  change  to  meet  the 
conditions  of  the  times. 

The  records  of  Union  church  are  an  unanwerable  refu- 
tation of  certain  hoary  traditions  which  are  not  only 
related  in  this  section  but  are  told  with  seeming  delight  in 
every  community  in  the  several  States  that  I  have  visited. 
I  hav^e  felt  com.pelled  to  believe  these  traditions  even 
against  my  better  judgment. 

How  often  have  you  heard  old  people  say  that  when 
they  were  young  everybody  drank  whiskey,  which  may,  or 
may  not,  have  been  true,  but  so  pure  was  it  that  it  never 
made  them   drunk!     They   say,    furthermore,    that  they 


2-1  History  of  Union. 

never  saw  a  drunk  man  until  years  later,  that  is  by  way 
of  inference,  until  efforts  were  made  to  limit  the  sale  of 
intoxicating  liquors 

The  records  of  Union  church  show  that  from  the  very 
first  practically  every  meeting  of  the  session  dealt  with 
some  member  or  members  for  drunkenness,  or  broilmgs  or 
lasciviousness  growing  out  of  the  habit  of  drink.  Another 
significant  fact  is,  that  the  further  back  we  go  the  larger 
the  number  disciplined  for  drunkenness.  These  records 
prove  that  whiskey  is  whiskey;  that  it  always  has  been, 
and  always  wi!i  be,  just  whiskey,  having  the  same  effect 
upon  every  man  that  drinks  it  in  all  ages  of  the  world 

These  records  farther  prove  that  from  the  first  the 
church  took  a  pronounced  stand  against  the  use  of  intoxi- 
cating liquors,  and  that  the  elders  who  had  oversight  of 
the  people  were  men  of  sobriety 

The  records  force  another  old  saying  to  go  the  way  of 
all  the  earth.  The  elders  of  the  for.ner  days  are  frequently 
held  up  as  stern  judges  who  v/ere  relentless  in  their 
dealings  with  offenders  in  the  church.  The  record-  show 
them  to  be  firm,  but  not  stern,  men  who  had  their  Master's 
compassion  for  erring  ones,  and  that  they  dealt  tenderly 
and  lovingly  with  offenders,  even  as  one  dealeth  with  a 
wayward  child.  I  would  like  to  know  what  the  records  of 
all  our  old  churches  say  in  reference  to  the  foregoing 
statemenis. 

While  the  minister  no  longer  lines  oat  the  hymns,  nor 
the  presentor  no  more  pitches  the  tunes  nor  leads  the  con- 
gregation in  singing,  yet  "Say  not  that  the  former  days 
were  better  than  these."  It  is  well  for  us  to  look  to  the 
past  if  we  are  willing  to  lean,  its  lessons.  Ii  is  not  amiss 
for  us  to  visit  the  old  cemetery  if  we  think  not  of  those 
that  are  buried  there  as  mouldering  dust,  but  as  immortal 
beings  clad  in  robes  of  deathless  white.  Jesus  bids  us 
look  back  upon  His  crucified  body,  gi/jn  for  us,  that  we 
may  behold  His  empty  to.nb.  Oar  Sivioar  would  have  us 
go  back  to  Calvary,  again  and  agMin,  and  thern  gaze  upon 
His  vicarious  death,  hanging  on   the   tree,  that   we   may 


History  of  Union.  25 

catch  a  glimpse  of  the   future  glory  of  His  triumphant 
Cross. 

So  may  our  meditations  of  old  Union,  turning  our  eyes 
to  our  Homeland  in  God's  everlasting  Paradise,  deepen  our 
trust,  brighten  our  hope  and  strengthen  us  for  the  good 
fight  of  faith  that  must  yet  be  won  under  the  Banner  of 
Christ  our  adorable  Lord. 

ADDENDA. 

In  the  minutes  of  Synod  of  the  Carolinas  from  1788  to 
1801,  references  are  made  to  mission  work  in  the  lower 
parts  of  North  Carolina  by  Rev.  Messrs  John  Bowman, 
Robert  Archibald,  James  H.  Bowman,  John  Robinson  and 
the  celebrated  Dr.  James  Hall.  Dr.  Hall  speaks  of  a 
mission  on  Cape  Fear;  of  having  visited  Rav.  Angus 
McDermaid  and  Rev.  Colin  Lindsay.  Rev.  Colin  Lindsay 
did  not  connect  himself  with  Orange  Presbytery  until 
several  years  after  he  came  over  from  Scotland.  He  was 
preaching  at  Bethesda  and  other  points  in  Moore  county 
during  the  '80s  of  1700.  An  old  newspaper  speaks  of  him 
as  having  baptized  an  mfant,  Euphemia  McDonali,  in 
Bensalem  congregation  as  late  as  1809.  Rev.  Dougald 
Crawford  followed  Rev.  James  Campbell.  Rev.  Mr. 
McCaasa  and  Rev.  John  Anderson  labored  in  Cumberland, 
Moore  and  Richmond  counties  about  the  same  time. 
Doubtless  other  ministers  came  over  in  the  early  immigra- 
tions, who,  like  Crawford  and  McCaasa,  recused  to  connect 
themselves  with  the  Scotch-Irish  Presbyteries  of  the  Synod 
of  Philadelphia.  They  were  members  of  the  Kirk  of 
Scotland!  McDermaid,  Lindsay  and  Anderson  seemed  to 
have  held  aloof  from  the  Presbytery  of  Orange  for  some 
years. 

A  revival  which  began  in  1818,  lasting  over  two  years, 
made  a  deep  and  lasting  impression  upon  that  generation. 
In  the  days  of  Rev.  Samuel  Paisley  the  old  people  would 
have  heated  arguments  over  which  was  the  greater  revival, 
McMillan's  or  McCallum's'  The  records  and  traditions  of 
McMillan's  long  and  interesting  pastorate  have  practically 


26  History  of  Union. 

all  been  lost.     Rev.  Murdock  McMillan  was  moderator  of 
Fayetteville  Presbytery  Seven  times  in  Eleven  years. 

Camp  meetings  w^ere  held  annually  at  Union  down  to 
Rev.  Samuel  Paisley's  pastorate.  Log  huts  were  erected 
on  the  church  grounds  for  camping  purposes.  The  people 
from  a  distance  brought  their  bedding  and  cooking  utensils 
and  camped  on  the  gr  .unds  during  meeting.  The  huts 
were  used  for  sleeping  apartments  while  the  cooking  was 
none  in  th<*  open.  The  preacher's  stand  out  in  the  grove 
was  used  on  communion  occasions  long  after  the  days  of 
camp  meetings. 

The  order  of  worship  at  Union  in  former  days  may  be 
of  interest  to  the  rising  generation.  The  presentor  and 
his  assistant  occupied  a  bench  close  up  in  front  of  the 
pulpit  facing  the  congregation.  The  minister,  after  reading 
his  hymn  a:id  repeating  the  First  Two  lines,  sat  down. 
The  presentor's  assistant  would  then  pitch  the  tune  and 
lead  the  singing.  The  presentor  v/ould  take  up  the  hymn 
at  this  point  and  line  out  the  hymn  Two  lines  at  a  time. 
Mr.  "Jim"  Munk,  a  Revolutionary  soldier,  was  the  First 
presentor  at  Union,  assisted  by  Mr.  Daniel  Blue.  They 
were  followed  by  Messrs.  John  McNeill  and  Daniel  McNeill. 
These  wer«'  followed  by  Mr.  Samuel  E.  Johnson  and  Mr. 
J.  M.  N.  Ferguson,  who  were  the  last  presentors  at  Union. 
Hymn  books  were  scarce  in  those  days,  and  the  presentor 
copied  the  hymns  int©  blank  books  with  a  goose  quill  pen. 
Mr.  John  McNeill's  selection  of  hymns  are  now  in  the 
possession  of  his  son,  Mr.  Daniel  McNeill. 

The  Big  Wagon  road  from  Fayetteville  to  Carthage, 
followin;>  the  old  Indian  trail,  was  at  a  very  early  date  cut 
out  to  Salisbury,  and  from  there  to  the  French  Broad  trail 
into  Tennessee  The  Winston-Salem  road,  which  was  cut 
out  at  the  same  time,  leaves  the  Salisbury  road  Eight  miles 
above  Carthage. 

Captain  Fanning,  on  one  of  his  trips  South,  camped 
one  night  on  the  Pee  Dee  road  where  it  crosses  Gall  berry 
branch,  Four  miles  South  West  of  Union.  They  alarmed 
the  neighborhood  next  morning   by   firing  off   their  guns 


KLV.  JOl  IN  K.  ROBERTS 

Pastor  of  Union  and  Cartha(;e  Churches.      Born  at  Soddy.  Tenn.  Dec.   12th, 

1873.      Graduate  of  KinR  ColleRe  (B.  A.)   1898;  of  Columbia 

I  heolo^ical  Seminary   (B.   D.)   I'.J0I. 


History  of  Union.  27 

into  a  pine  tree  Tradition  fails  to  tell  us  whether  it  was 
a  signal  to  the  Tories  or  a  defiance  to  Col.  Alston  and  the 
Whigs.  The  heart  of  this  old  tree  may  now  be  seen  lying 
about  Fifty  yards  East  of  the  Pee  Dee  road  where  it  crosses 
Gallberry  branch.  Mr.  John  Patterson,  whose  obituary 
appears  in  this  history,  is  one  of  our  authorities  for  the 
incident.  He  was  about  sixteen  years  of  age  at  that  time 
and  Uved  scarcely  one  mile  from  Fanning's  camping  place. 
Mr.  Patterson  often  related  this  incident  to  people  now 
living  whose  veracity  can  not  be  questioned.  At  the  time 
of  this  incident  the  Pee  Dee  road  was  an  old  and  much 
used  highway. 


q       q       q 


FAREWELL  TO  UNION. 


Last  Sermon  Preached  by  Rev.  Martin 
McQueen  in  the  Church  Preceding  the 
One  Now  Standing. 


Haggai  2:3:     "Who  is  left  amonK  you.  that  saw  this  house  in  her  first  (rlory?" 

The  comparison  here  drawn  is  between  the  temple 
built  by  Solomon  and  the  one  erected  by  the  Jews  when 
they  returned  from  their  long  captivity.  While  it  was 
cause  of  great  joy  to  the  Jews  to  return  to  the  house  of 
their  fathers,  and  to  erect  a  temple  to  their  fathers'  God, 
still  it  was  a  source  of  great  sorrow  that  the  latter  temple 
was  so  inferior  to  the  former.  Hence  the  question,  "Who 
is  left  among  you  that  saw  this  house  in  her  first  glory?" 
and  how  do  you  see  it  now?  is  it  not  in  your  eyes,  in  com- 
parison with  it,  as  nothing?  It  cost  them  many  tears, 
and  caused  the  work  to  go  on  slowly,  but  God  encouraged 
them  by  his  prophets.  He  told  them  that  "the  glory  of 
this  latter  house  shall  be  greater  tlyn  of  the  former." 
The  superior  glory  of  the  latter  house  did  not  consist  in 
the  abundance  of  silver  and  gold,  nor  in  the  grandeur  of 
its  magnificent  appearance,  but  in  the  fact  that  Jesus 
honored  it  with  his  presence  and  taught  in  its  courts.  It 
was  the  presence  of  the  Lord  of  Glory  that  made  the  glory 
of  the  latter  temple  surpass  that  of  the  former. 

So  this  temple,  this  church,  has  grown  old,  its  beauty 
has  departed,  it  is  surpassed  by  the  new,  but  its  glory  has 
not  departed,  nor  has  Ichabod  been  written  upon  its  walls. 
God  has  rendered  this  house  glorious  by  His  i)resence  and 
power.  It  has  a  record  in  heaven  as  the  birthplace  of 
souls.  Many  look  down  from  heaven  upon  this  house  as 
the  place  of  their  spiritual  birth,  where  they  first  found 
peace  in  believing  on  Jesus.  While  we  would  not  indulge 
a  superstitious  reverence  for  mere  walls  and  timbers,  still 
we  must  feel  some   reverence   for   the   wood   of   the   old 


History  of  Union.  29 

temple  so  long  honored  by  the  Divine  Presence. 

At  the  time  of  the  text  Solomon's  temple  had  been 
destroyed  about  Seventy  years.  There  could  not  remain 
many  of  those  who  had  seen  it  in  its  glory.  Seventy  long 
years  of  exile  in  a  foreign  land  had  called  them  to  the 
grave  and  but  few  eyes  that  gazed  with  admiration  on  the 
old  temple  now  looked  on  the  new.  Still  there  were  a  few 
eyes  left  to  weep  over  its  inferiority. 

The  same  is  true  of  this  old  church.  Though  it  has 
only  stood  for  Forty  years,  those  Forty  years  have  carried 
most  of  its  generation  to  the  grave.  The  pastor  with  all 
his  elders  have  gone  to  give  an  account  of  their  steward- 
ship. In  1840,  Rev.  Samuel  Paisley  was  in  charge  of  this 
church,  with  Wm.  Shaw,  Daniel  Blue,  Daniel  McKeithen, 
John  Patterson,  James  Cole,  Daniel  McDonald,  Kenneth 
Black,  John  Ferguson  and  Norman  Ferguson  his  elders. 

We  knew  Father  Paisley  in  the  declining  years  of  his 
life.  While  he  was  not  a  Paul  in  learning  nor  an  Appollus 
in  eloquence,  still  he  was  a  good  man,  devoted  to  his 
Master's  work.  He  desired  to  die  with  the  harness  on. 
While  his  strength  remained  he  was  constantly  engaged  in 
comforting  and  building  up  saints,  and  pleading  with 
sinners  to  "Behold  the  Lamb  of  God  that  taketh  away  the 
sin  of  the  world. ' ' 

Messrs.  Daniel  McKeithen,  Kenneth  Black  were  the 
only  members  of  that  bench  of  elders  we  ever  saw.  They 
were  men  of  God,  highly  esteemed  and  venerated  by  the 
church.  The  records  show  that  they  felt  the  vows  that 
were  upon  them  to  "study  the  peace  and  purity  of  the 
church."  They  were  wise  in  council  and  zealous  of  their 
Master's  honor.  But  their  work  is  done  and  they  sleep 
beneath  the  sod.  It  is  only  what  they  did  for  God  that 
lives — lives  in  heaven  and  on  earth,  while  their  example 
shines  forth  for  our  imitation. 

Many  of  those  whose  voices  first  echoed  in  this  house, 
hymning  God's  praise,  have  met  in  His  Upper  Temple, 
where,  freed  from  all  earthly  care,  they  unite  their  voices 
in  harmony  around  the  throne  of  God  and  the  Lamb.     We 


30  HisTOKY  OF  Union. 

should  draw  some  lessons  from  their  lives: 

1.  We  should  so  live  that  our  lives  would  be  worthy  of 
imitation  by  those  who  come  after  us.  We  should  so  live 
as  never  to  brinj:?  a  reproach  upon  Jesus  or  His  cause. 

2.  We  should  never  forget  that  the  vows  of  God  are 
upon  us  to  study  the  peace  and  purity  of  the  church.  To 
take  those  vows  upon  you  and  fail  to  redeem  them;  to  take 
those  solemn  vows  and  then  hide  or  cover  up  corruption  in 
the  bosom  of  the  church,  is  a  sin  of  no  ordinary  magnitude. 

3.  The  last  lesson  we  would  draw  from  their  lives  and 

death  is.  the  duty  of  working  for  God  while  we  live.     All 

our  labor  and  toil  about  worldly  affairs  will  perish.     Only 

what  we  do  for  God  will  remain.     What  you   do   for   Him 

must  be  done  quickly.     Soon  you  must  leave  the  vineyard, 

and  you  should  work  while  it  is  day  for  the  night  will  soon 

come  when  no  man  can  work.     Strive  to  leave  a  fair  record 

and  a  shining  example  behind  you. 

******* 

I  moderated  the  session  of  this  church  for  the  first 
time  September  25th,  18G4.  The  roll  of  membership  was 
then  460.  It  is  now  708,  an  increase  of  348  in  Sixteen 
years.  *  *  *  *  xhe  church  has  been  especially  blessed 
in  many  respects.  It  has  been  highly  favored  with  the 
spirit  of  harmony  and  brotherly  feeling.  The  demon  of 
discord  and  strife  has  not  torn  and  rended  the  body  of 
Christ.  "United  we  stand,  divided  we  fall,"  is  as  true  of 
a  church  as  well  as  of  a  state.  A  church  cannot  prosper 
and  grow  while  torn  and  scattered  by  strife  and  confusion. 
We  must  have  peace  if  we  advance. 

Although  a  large  number  of  members  have  been  added 
to  the  roll,  still  the  membership  has  not  increased,  for  this 
church  has  become  the  mother  of  two  children,  Carthage 
and  Cameron.  It  has  furnished  two  or  three  ministers  of 
the  gospel  to  our  Zion;  it  has  furnished  officers  and  mem- 
bers of  the  church  in  all  the  Southern  States;  it  has  been 
a  center  of  religious  influence,  a  "light  set  upon  a  hill."  It 
Would  be  hard  to  overestimate  the  great  work  that  has 
been  done  in  this  house  for  tne   last  forty   years.     Those 


o 

3 

n 

pr      O 

f  the 
erian 
of  th 

°    3    H 

^rs 

C           u 

t>i 

2 

3     7    6. 

/O 

°^  5- 1 

H 

H  •»    D 

03 

*<    ai    « 

U       Z        P) 

o    3    n 

3      0      0 

5?tS    S 

O 

■T^a. 

v 

3    n     "■ 

f»     M     3- 

CD    o    n 

03  »"  P 

C    3    K 

TO     S'     ^ 

2?  •  r 

gePr 
One 
Co. 

n 

cr 

•< 

O 

rr 

3" 

sr 

B) 

a 

"1 

tD 

2 

n 

n 

0    cr 

3 

s-  "< 

u 

D-  7v 

rt 

»^ 

^  s- 

V 

5-  =r 

3 

a. 
o 

3 

D 

-l     c 
O     "1 

n 

O 

(IQ     F 

3- 

o^ 

z 

h:  3 

> 

c 
n 

?  s 

n 

0) 

V 

o 

3-  "^ 

0 

,^ 

c 

ET 

o 


History  of  Union.  31 

fathers  who  built  this  house  for  themselves  and  their  chil- 
dren did  not  build  in  vain.  Their  children  may  rise  up  to 
bless  their  name  and  honor  their  memory.  So  we  hope  the 
same  may  yet  be  said  of  those  who  build  the  new  church. 

Another  cause  of  Union's  success  is,  it  has  been  for  a 
long  time  a  praying  congregation.  It  has  not  been  long  at 
any  time  without  a  weekly  prayer-meeting  within  its 
bounds.  For  more  than  Forty  years  there  has  been  one 
and  often  more  than  one  weekly  prayer-meeting  in  the 
congregation.  Family  worship  has  been  more  generally 
observed  in  Union  congregation  than  any  one  we  know  of. 
Hence  it  is  evident  that  this  congregation  has  been  a  pray- 
ing people.  This  has  been  the  cause  of  these  remarkable 
revivals  which  have  been  enjoyed  by  this  church.  God's 
Spirit  comes  in  answer  to  prayer.  A  praying  people  will 
not  De  long  without  the  presence  of  the  Spirit.  When  the 
fire  burns  high  on  the  family  altar  and  in  the  prayer-meet- 
ing, the  church  will  be  revived.  When  a  whole  church 
comes  to  its  knees  before  God,  He  will  send  forth  His 
Spirit  in  answer  to  their  prayer.  Hence,  we  said  all  these 
powerful  revivals  of  Forty  years  have  come  in  answer  to 
prayer. 

Again,  another  cause  of  the  harmony  and  success  of 
Union  church  is,  that  it  is  a  homogeneous  congregation. 
When  extremes  of  poverty  and  riches  meet  in  one  congre- 
gation, or  diversity  of  nationalities  meet  in  one  church, 
harmony  and  peace  are  difficult  to  maintain,  and  progress 
rarely  results.  This  congregation  has  been  composed 
mainly  of  one  nationality.  It  has  not  suffered  from  either 
extreme  of  riches  or  poverty.  All  this  with  other  causes 
have  contributed  to  make  Union  a  useful  and  growing 
church.  They  have  combined  to  give  old  Union  its  name 
and  influence  in  the  land. 

Again  we  remark,  the  buildings  have  always  kept 
pace  with  the  progress  of  the  times.  Its  first  buildings 
were  of  logs,  then  a  framed  building.  Doubtless  this  was 
one  of  the  finest  churches  of  its  day.  Forty  years  ago  this 
was  a  fine  church  for  this  country.     When  we   leave   this 


32  History  of  Union. 

building  to  go  into  our  new  church,  we  still  advance,  for 
our  new  church  is  inferior  to  but  few  country  churches  in 
our  Presbytery. 

But  with  all  these  facts  in  favor  of  Union,  it  can  never 
be  what  it  has  been.  At  one  time  the  whole  territory  for 
ten  miles  or  more  around  belonged  to  Union,  and  nearly 
the  whole  population  was  Presbyterian.  But  Union  has 
divided  out  a  large  part  of  its  territory  with  its  children 
and  its  remaining  territory  is  becoming  mixed  up  with  a 
different  population.  So  it  is  plain  that  Union  can  not  for 
a  long  time  hold  the  sway  she  once  held.  But  while  this 
is  true,  it  still  has  territory  enough,  members  enough  and 
money  enough,  if  used  for  God's  glory.  What  could  not 
300  members  accomplish  for  God  if  they  were  willing  to 
v/ork  for  Him  I  What  a  powerful  influence  for  good  they 
would  be  if  they  were  all  "living  epistles  known  and  read 
of  all  meni"  The  church  and  prayer-meetings  would  be 
crowded  with  faithful  worshipers;  our  Sabbath  school 
would  be  full  to  overflowing;  the  Lord's  treasury  woul-.I 
never  be  empty;  the  pastor's  salary  would  be  paid,  and  the 
church  building  would  also  be  paid  for.  It  is  not  th:\t 
wealth  has  not  increased  but  growing  extravagance 
absorbs  the  increase.  If  people  get  money  it  is  is  not  for 
the  Lord  nor  to  pay  debts,  but  to  expend  on  themselves. 
If  they  can  make  a  show,  they  care  nothing  for  debts  or 
unpaid  subscriptions.  Is  this  Christian  honesty  or  integ- 
rity? Was  this  the  way  those  old  fathers  lived  and  paid? 
Is  this  the  princij^le  of  our  holy  religion?  Was  this  the 
example  your  fathers  left  you?  Are  you  equal  to  the 
fathers  in  consistency  and  zeal  for  the  cause  of  religion? 
Have  we  not  more  pride  and  less  zeal?  More  show  ;md 
less  consistency?  Is  this  generation  no  improvement  upon 
the  preceding  one?  Is  there  as  much  of  the  spirit  of 
prayer  as  in  b^-gone  days?  Are  there  as  many  weekly 
prayer-meetings  as  there  were  Forty  years  ago  and  as  well 
attended?  Are  there  as  many  family  altars  as  in  former 
days?  Does  the  spirit  of  prayer  pervade  the  congregation 
as  it  (lid  Forty  years  ago?    The  life  of  a  church   is   in   its 


History  of  Union.  33 

praying  members. 

Again,  how  will  our  elders  and  deacons  compare  with 
those  of  former  years?  Are  our  elders  as  pure  and  con- 
sistent in  their  lives  and  as  faithful  in  the  discharge  of  all 
their  duties?  Are  they  examples  of  purity  and  zeal  for 
the  flock?  Are  our  deacons  active  in  the  discharge  of  their 
duties?  Do  they  keep  the  temporal  affairs  of  the  church 
in  order?  How  will  the  present  officers  and  members  com- 
pare with  those  of  Forty  years  ago?  God  is  the  only  Judge. 
To  Him  we  must  stand  or  fall.  Still,  we  must  not  say  that 
all  was  right  in  those  good  old  times.  The  records  of  dis- 
cipline will  not  sustain  the  assertion.  Tares  and  wheat 
were  growing  together  then  as  now.  But  in  somethings, 
we  think,  we  excel  those  of  former  years.  The  Sabbath 
school  work  is  carried  on  more  generally  now  than  then. 
The  ladies  are  doing  more  to  send  the  gospel  abroad  now 
than  then.  But  we  fear  there  is  not  as  much  prayer  in 
the  congregation  now  as  then ;  that  the  young  men  are  not 
doing  as  much  for  the  church  now  as  they  were  then.  But 
we  must  close. 

There  are  but  few  to-day  who  heard  the  last  sermon 
preached  in  this  house  who  heard  the  first.  There  are  but 
few  who  then  came  to  hear  the  Dedication  Sermon  who  are 
here  to-day  to  hear  this  Farewell  Sermon.  Where  are  those 
ministers  who  stood  between  the  living  and  the  dead?  The 
voices  of  Paisley,  McNeill  and  Hogshead  which  so  often 
rang  in  this  hall  have  changed  the  Lower  for  the  Upper 
Temple  to  swell  with  more  melodious  tones  the  song  of 
redeeming  love.  Those  venerable  elders  who  sat  near  the 
pulpit  and  watched  over  the  interests  of  the  flock  together 
with  those  pious  fathers  and  godly  mothers  who  with 
weeping  eyes  received  the  gospel  with  glad  nesshave  gone 
to  the  grave.  Where  are  they  ?  The  grave  yard  might 
echo  back  the  answer,  '  'All  that  is  mortal  of  most  of  them 
is  asleep  in  my  bosom  but  their  souls  are  gone  to  be 
with  Jesus  which  is  far  better."  Many  who  learned  to 
sing  the  song  of  praise  unto  God  in  this  house  are  now 
singing  that  new  song  of  Moses  and  the  Lamb  around  the 


34  History  of  Union. 

throne  of  God.  Pastors,  elders  and  people  have  met  beyond 
the  river.  0,  what  a  joyful  meeting!  God  has  w^iped 
away  all  tears  from  their  eyes  and  they  drink  forever  of 
the  river  of  pleasure  that  flows  from  the  throne  of  God. 
0,  how  many  of  us  will  join  that  blood  bought  band!  Of 
all  questions  this  is  to  us  the  most  important. 

But  we  must  bid  a  long  farewell  to  this  house  with  all 
its  hallowed  associations.  The  voice  of  mercy  will  no 
longer  ring  through  this  hall.  The  last  warning  has  been 
given  and  the  invitation  heard.  God  has  honored  but  fow 
houses  in  all  this  land  with  His  presence  as  he  has  this 
temple.  God  has  often  appeared  in  this  house  in  wonderful 
power.  Here  strong  hearts  have  been  crushed;  here  the 
eyes  of  the  blind  have  been  opened;  here  the  proud  spirit 
has  been  humbled  at  the  foot  of  the  Cross;  here  many 
have  rejoiced  in  their  new-born  love  for  Jesus;  and  here 
love  for  Jesus  has  been  kindled  in  the  souls  of  men  that 
will  burn  brighter  and  brighter  through  the  eternal  ages. 
Although  this  church  may  not  have  attracted  the  gaze  and 
admiration  of  the  world,  still  the  angels  in  heaven  kept 
watch  over  it  and  rejoiced  as  they  saw  sinners  turning 
from  the  error  of  their  ways  unto  God. 

These  are  some  of  the  thoughts  that  cluster  around 
our  memories  as  we  bid  farewell  to  this  old  house  with  all 
its  hallowed  associations.  We  can  but  leave  this  house 
with  mingled  emotions  of  joy  and  sorrow;  joy  as  we 
remember  all  of  God's  favors  and  mercies  enjoyed  here; 
and  sorrow,  as  we  leave  a  house  of  such  precious  memo- 
ries. As  we  leave  our  father's  home  with  emotions  of 
sadness  and  sorrow,  so  do  we  to-day  bid  farewell  to  this 
our  spiritual  home  with  feelings  of  sadness.  We  can  only 
hope  and  pray  that  God  may  honor  our  new  house  as  Uo 
has  honored  this,  with  His  presence  and  blessings;  thr.t 
He  will  make  it  the  place  of  His  abode;  that  His  peo])lo 
may  there  enjoy  His  smiling  presence  and  favor  as  in  the 
old;  that  the  great  power  of  Jesus  Christ  to  save  souls  may 
there  be  seen  as  it  has  been  seen  in  this  old  house  to  which 
we  now  bid  a  long  and  sad  farewell. 


THE  CARTHAGE  CHURCH. 


The  Carthage  Presbyterian  church  is  Union's  eldest 
daughter,  and  she  delights  to  call  her  blessed.  The  tenderest 
memories  of  the  Carthage  church  are  mseperably  entwined 
with  Union.  The  history  of  Union  during  the  last  Sixty 
years  covers  the  existence  of  the  Carthage  church. 

Rev.  Angus  Currie  McNeill  cultivated  the  Carthage  field 
and  in  due  time  organized  it  into  a  church.  He  was  born  in 
Robeson  county,  ^.  C,  May  4th,  1812;  he  graduated  from 
the  University  of  North  Carolina  aud  Union  Seminary  with 
distinction.  He  was  licensed  <^y  Fayetteville  Presbyteiy 
April  13th,  1844.  Presbytery  appoiated  hira  to  educational 
and  evangelistical  work  withiu  her  borders.  He  was  ordained 
as  an  evangelist  April  6th,  1846.  Mr.  ivicNeill  founded  a 
classical  school  at  Carthage  in  1844,  using  a  log  house  on 
Flint  Hill,  the  site  now  occupied  by  tho  residence  of  Mr.  E. 
W.  Shedd.  Mr.  Hugh  Leach  and  a  Mr.  Oats  had  taught 
elem*>ntary  schools  in  this  community  before  McNeill  came  to 
Carthage,  but  Mr.  McNeill's  curriculum  was  only  excelled 
by  the  University.  Th  beginning  of  this  academy  was 
auspicious  for  the  establishment  of  a  school  of  higher  learuing. 
The  fsMuous  academy  at  Euphronia  founded  by  Rev.  Murdock 
McMillan  had  now  gone  down.  Carthage  was  centrally 
located  aad  a  town  of  growing  importance.  Mr.  McNeill 
was  a  brilliant  scholar  aod  a  strict  discipliLariao.  His  temper 
was  so  even  yet  firm  that  he  held  both  the  respect  and  love  of 
his  pupils.  His  school  sprang  into  fame  at  once,  and  it  is 
said  that  the  attendance  was  never  less  than  200.  Under  the 
leadership  of  Mr,  Alexander  Kelly  subscriptious  were  raised 
for  the  erection  of  an  acadecLy  building,  which  was  called  the 
Male  Academy.  The  building  was  erecteo'  by  Daniel  C. 
Campbell  in  1845.  The  lot  was  given  by  Mr.  Murdock  B. 
Person  with  the  followinsr  Board  of  Trustees:  John  B.  Kelly, 
Charles  Chalmers,  John  Morrison,  C.  C.  Shaw,  N.  Richard- 
son. A.  C.  Currie,  D,  Murchison,  A.  R.  Kelly,  C.  H.  Dowd, 
S.  J  Person,  John  M.  Black  and  Rev.  Samuel  Paislej-.  The 
establishment  of  a  college  was  evidently  behind  this  move- 
ment as  is  intimatei  by  this  sentence  in  the  deed  for  the  lot, 


3G  History  of  Union. 

'Upon  which  to  eroct  and  maintain  an  institution  or  institu- 
tions of  learning  or  a  church  or  churches  of  some  relitjious 
denomination  and  not  to  be  conveyed  b.y  them  or  used  for  any 
other  purpose  or  us^?  whatever. '^ 

Five  years  later,  vvntn  the  Presbyterian  church  Jvas 
ortjanized,  Mr.  Murdock  B.  Person  also  g^ave  the  adjoining 
lot  for  the  church  lot.  The  recards  and  tradition  fail  to  tell 
us  why  these  plans  wore  not  cairied  out.  If  the  school  had 
continued  as  purposed,  Carthage  would  now  have  in  her 
midst  a  college  older  than  many  of  the  leading  instiuiiions  in 
the  State.  Mr.  McNeill  transferred  his  .*^chool  from  Flint 
Hill  to  the  Male  Academy  building  in  the  Fall  of  1845.  Hu 
wife,  however,  taughtthe  girls  in  his  horat,  the  Dr.  iShaw 
house,  a'-sisted  by  .Miss  Kate  Robinson,  wno  later  became 
the  wife  of  Rev.  Martin  McQueen.  In  ihe  Fall  of  1847,  Mr. 
.McNeill  transferred  the  female  department  to  a  building 
erected  on  a  lot  given  to  the  Academy  by  Alexander  Kelly, 
the  present  Site  of  ihe  Carthage  graded  school.  This  cele- 
brated institution  made  Carthage  the  leading  center  for 
higher  educat  on  in  all  the  Cape  Fear  secti*)n.  Many  men 
received  their  education  here  who  in  after  days  became 
famous  both  in  church  and  Statt. 

Mr.  McNeill  preached  regularly  in  the  Acaderuy,  and  at 
outlying  poiats.  He  supplied  Cypress,  1847-'49;  Union. 
1850,  »nd  Carthage  for  the  first  three  months  of  its  existence 
as  a  church  organization.  Mr.  McNeill  was  a  brilliant  thinker, 
h  polished  speaker,  and  eloquent  in  the  deliverv  of  his 
sermons  He  was  beloved  as  a  pastor  and  popular  as  a 
t<'acher  and  man  After  eight  years  of  faithful  .servico  as 
teacher  and  preacher  he  resigned  jo  accept  the  pastorate  of 
Centre  Ridge,  Ala.,  and  was  dismissed  to  South  Alabama 
Presbytery  in  the  Fall  of  1852.  He  served  (Jenter  Ridg!> 
1853-'60,  dying  in  the  pulpit  October  I4th,  1860. 

Soon  after  Mr.  .McNeill  resigned  the  n)ale  and  female 
departments  of  the  Academy  were  unit'd  in  the  building 
erectec  for  the  female  department.  The  old  Male  Academy 
w.is  used  for  a  while  as  a  private  school  for  children,  but  I're 
long  was  i-.bandoued  tor  .school  purposes. 


History  of  Union.  37 

The  history  of  the  Carthage  Presbyteriao  church  is  a 
comparatively  short  one,  while  the  history  of  Presbyterianism 
begins  with  the  lirst  stttlerp.  For  years  the  only  Pre&byte. 
rian  churches  in  Moore  county  were  Buffalo,  Union  and 
Benhesda. 

The  Presbytery  of  Fayetteville  in  its  Seventy-fourth 
ses'sioQ  held  at  Laurel  Hill  appointed  a  committee  consisting 
of  Kevs.  Messrs.  A.  C.  McNeill.  E.  McNair  and  N.  McDonald 
to  organize  a  church  at  Carthage  "should  the  way  be  clear." 
The  committee  convened  at  Carthage  Sunday,  Sept.  1,  1850, 
and  after  a  sermon  preached  by  Rev.  E.  McNair,  the  fol- 
lowing persons,  being  dismissed  from  Uiaion  church  to  join  a 
3hurch  to  be  organized  at  Carthage,  presented  themselves  for 
membership,  viz:  Alexander  Kelly,  Sarah  Kelly,  Duncan 
Keith,  Elizabeth  Keith,  Kenneth  Black,  Mrs.  Kenneth  Black, 
Duncan   Blue,  Margaret  Morrison,  Chri>itian  Kelly,  Harriet 

A.  McNeill,  Flora  Martin,  Daniel  McKinnon,  John  M.  Black, 
Neil  R.  Currie,  Hugh  Black,  Flora  Black,  Nancy  McKenzie, 
Nancy  Seaweil,  Margaret  McKenzie,  Mrs.  Joe  Shields,  Nancy 
Kelly,  Eliza  Black,  Floia  McLeod,  Margaret  Robinson,  who 
were  duly  organized  into  a  church.  The  committee  then  took 
recess  until  the  hour  for  night  service.  After  a  sermon 
preached  b.>  Rev.  N.  McDonald,  elders  Alexander  Aelly  and 
Kenneth  Black  ere  installed  ruling  elders.  Messrs.  S.  J. 
Person,  John  Shaw,  Hector  Turner,  A.  C.  Currie  and  Thomas 

B.  Tyson  weie  elected  trustees  and  they  were  instructed  "to 
secure  title  to  a  lot  in  the  town  of  Carthage  where  it  was  pur 
posed  to  erect  a  hous*?  of  worship  and  hold  the  same  in  trust 
for  the  congregation." 

As  can  be  seen  from  the  roll  the  church  was  small  and 
weak,  but  the  members  went  to  work  with  a  will  to  build  a 
house  of  worship.  Mr.  Alexander  Kelly  erected  the  building. 
The  present  church  is  ihe  original  edifice,  but  it  has  been 
added  to  from  time  to  time.  Rev.  A.  C.  McNeill  came  back 
from  Alabama  to  dedicate  the  charch.  This  service  he  per- 
formed to  the  delight  of  the  ccngregaiion  oi;  the  Third  Sab- 
bh,th  in  Sept.,  1856.  Rev.  Messrs.  N.  McKay,  E.  McNair 
and  S.  D.  McAllister  were  present. 


38  History  of  Union. 

Rev.  W.  H.  Hogshead  foUowod  Mr.  McNeill.  He  was 
made  pastor  ij  Sept.,  1851.  and  served  the  church  until  his 
death  in  1855. 

Rev.  Daniel  McGilvary  then  supplied  the  church  from 
Aug.,  1856,  until  Feb.,  1858. 

Rev.  G.  A.  Russell  was  pastor  from  Oct.,  1858,  until 
Feb.,  1856. 

Rev.  Martin  McQueen  served  Carthage  as  pastor  from 
1864  until  1888.  See  hisiory  of  Union  for  sketch  of  his  life. 
However,  we  record  two  things  of  intoresi  ilnring  his  ministry. 

On  Aug.  lit,  1886,  tr.e  session  dismissed  the  followiug  to 
unite  with  a  church  to  be  organized  at  Culdee:  N.  P.  McKen- 
zie,  Maggie  McKenz>e,  D.  \V.  McKeLzie,  C.  A.  McKeuzie, 
Flora  McKonzie,  Malcolm  McKe  .zie,  J.  C.  McKeuzie,  J.  J 
McKenzie,  E.  E.  McKenzie,  John  K.  McKenzio,  Catherine 
E.  Scott,  Margaret  Wicker,  W.  F.  VVickf^r,  ilarah  E.  Wicker, 
W.  C.  Black,  Mrs.  Flora  Patterson,  Mrs.  Hugh  Black,  Mrs. 
M.  Vun  Cannon,  Mrs.  C.  C.  McKeithen,  Mrs.  S.  M.  McDon- 
ald and  Mrs.  Miranda  Jackson. 

One  of  the  most  touching  things  to  be  found  in  she, 
recoids  of  the  church  is  the  spiritual  care  of  the  slaves  in  the 
congregation.  The  colored  people  retainedtheir  membersliip 
in  the  church  until  1886.  This  brief  statement  api)  ars  in 
the  narrative  to  Presbytery:  "The  colored  peoplt"  have  gone 
unto  themselves. "  Nevertheless,  many  of  them  wen  regular 
attendacits  at  the  church  until  llie  day  of  their  death.  One 
of  our  prominent  members  relates  an  unintentional  but  salu- 
tary rebuke  given  liira  b^  one  of  tnese  old  time  darkies.  On 
a  certain  Sabbath  morning,  Mr.  M  was  on  his  way  to  attend 
services  at  Bethl'^hein.  A  short  distance  from  the  church  he 
met  an  olrJ  colored  man,  Isaac  Caddell.  "Uncle  Isaac,  where 
are  you  going?"  Touching  his  hat  politely,  the  darkey 
replied:  "I'se  gwine  to  tneetin'  at  Carthage."  '  Uncle  Isaac," 
contiaued  Mr.  M,  "why  not  attend  chu-ch  hereat  Bethlehem? 
Isn't  a  Baptist  sermon  as  good  as  a  Presbyterian  sermon?" 
''Dat  all  may  be  so,  boss,"  the  darkey  answered,  "dat  all  may 
I  •  X,  bill  I  feels  it  to  be  ray  Christian  duty  to  ^o  to  hear 
Marse  McQueen  preach,  'kaze  he's  my  chuich's  preacher." 


— 

2 

na 

< 
5' 

S 

n 

OQ 

^ 

O 

5r- 

s 

n 

O 

r 

fi) 

3 

"^ 

7 

^ 

m 

(  ) 

rt 

c 

3 
cr 

I 

n 

m 

sr 

r 

0 

S 

n 

» 

;% 

^ 

-o 


History  of  Union.  39 

Rev.  A  R.  Shaw,  D  1).,  beo-an  to  ^snppl.v  Hie  church  in 
Juno,  1888,  was  made  pastor  Sept.  20fch,  1889.  He  resijr;  ed 
in  October,  1890,  to  accept  che  work  of  Presbyterial  Evange- 
list of  Fa.vetteville  Presbytery. 

The  church  then  called  Rev  W.  M.  P:]dridjre,  of  Hills- 
lioro.  Texas,  as  pastor,  who  served  the  church  from  Au<>-., 
1891,  to  D:^c.  31sf,  1894.  at  whish  time,  hi^  resigned  to  accept 
the  call  of  Presbvterial  Evan^yelist  of  Fayetteville  Presbytery. 

Rev.  (t.  L.  Wolfe,  of  Tuscaloosa  Presbytery,  Ala.,  sup 
plied  the  church  from    March,    1895.   until    his    death    June 
4th,  1896. 

Rev.  D.  W.  Pox,  of  the  Conirregational  church,  su'^plied 
th.-^  pulpit  from  the  death  of  Mr.  Wolfe  until  the  Fall  raee'ino- 
of  Presbytery  in  1896.  In  Septe.nber  of  thi-  year  Rev. 
William  Bl  i  .k  held  his  first  meeting^  in  Carthage,  which  so 
stirred  the  community  that  it  is  one  of  the  epoch  marking 
events  in  the  history  of  the  church.  He  held  his  second 
meeting  in  Carthage  in  Nov.,  1909.  Again  did  God  pour  out 
His  Spirit  upon  His  i)eople.  The  rpsi  Its  were  greater  than 
in  I  lie  first  meeting. 

Rev.  C.  G.  Vardell,  D,  D.,  supoliod  the  church  fr<mi 
October  to  the  close  of  the  year  1896. 

Rev.  C.  H.  Dobbs,  Jr.,  of  Virginia,  served  the  church 
as  pastor  from  Jan.,  1897,  until  Feb.,  1901,  when  he  resigned 
to  accept  the  call  of  the  Presbyierian  church  at  Sanatobia, 
Mississippi. 

Rev.  John  K.  Roberts,  licentiate  of  Knoxville  Presby- 
tery, was  called  as  next  pastor  He  began  to  serve  the 
church  Sundav.  Srpterab<'r  29th,  1901,  and  was  ord«ined  and 
installed  pastor  November  26th  1901,  by  a  commission 
appointed  by  Fayettevilie  Presbyter.v  consisting  of  Rev,  J- 
M.  Rose,  D.  D.,  who  preached  and  pro[)ounded  the  constitu 
tion  1  questio'is.  Rev.  W.  R.  Coppedge,  who  ch'-rged  the 
pastor.  Rev.  H.  Tucker  Graham,  who  charged  the  people,  and 
Dr.  (-.  McLeod,  eld^.r. 

Under  Mr.  Roberts'  pastorate  the  church  has  increas(»d 
in  membership  from  180  to  305,  The  church  is  engaged  in 
sev-'ral  lines  of  religious  activities.     Tiio   cJMldren's   socio^tv. 


40 


History  of  Union. 


known  as  the  "Scottish  Covenanters,"  entjages  the  children 
in  active  reliijioi4s  service.  The  Ladies  Missionary  Society 
and  the  Younj;  Ladies  Missionary  Society  are  doing  most 
zealous  work  for  the  Master's  kinjjdom.  Tne  Sunday  school 
has  been  jfraded  and  it  is  accomv)lishin,f  gfood  results  notwith- 
standing its  cranipt'd  situation.  It  does  not  only  emphasize 
instruction,  but  also  giving.  The  scheme  of  collections  is  as 
follows:  1st  Sunday,  S.  vS.  missionary;  2nd  Sunday,  benevo- 
lence or  the  month;  3rd,  the  orphans;  4th  and  5th  Sundays, 
incidental  expenses.  The  en urch  has  adopted  the  voluuiury 
''Budget  System,'-  using  the  Duplex  envelopes,  one  end  of 
which  is  devDuod  to  the  pastor's  salary,  the  other  to  a  weekly 
otfering  to  all  the  benevolent  causes  of  the  church. 

The  eldership  and  deaconate  are  efficient  and    loyal    ser- 
vants of  Christ. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  elders  and   deacons   o^'   the 
church  with  the  date  of  their  installation: 


ELDERS: 


Kenneth  Black 
Alexander  Kelly 

John  M.  Black 

Alexander  Mclver 
A.  R.  McDonald 
Daniel  McKinnon 


Dr.  .John  Sluiw 
M.  H.  McLauchlin 
W.  ('urrie 

Kenneth  C.  Chisholin 
Archibald  McCallum 

James  D.  Mclver 
Duncan  P.  Shields 


DATE  OF  INSTALLATION: 

September  1,  1850: 

November  If),  i851: 
January  19,  1858: 


DEACONS: 


January  7,  1866: 


April  2,  1871: 


Lauclilin  Kelly 

Dr.  John  Sliaw 

Thomas  B.  Tyson 

Benjamin  Shields 

HuKh  Black 

.lohn  W.  Shields 

Danitd  S.  Shiolds 

James  D.  Mclver 

Thomas  C.  Cole 

Alexander  McNeill 

Ale.xandor  Black 

W.  J.  Kelly 

Wni.  J.  Stuart 


John  W.  Shields 
Hugh  Black 
W.  J.  Stuart 


D.  McS.  Kelly 
T.  C.  Cole 


G.  McLeod 
D.  M.  McLeod 

T.  J.  Shaw 
L.  P.  Tyson 


C.  L.  Lewis 

Jesse  Carter,  Sr. 
J.  L.  Currie 

John  Campbell 

W.  J.  Kelly 
J.  H.  McDonald 

G.  C.  Graves 
M.  H.  Caldwell 


History  of  Union. 

January  30,  1876: 

December  17,  1883: 

April  4,  1884: 

October  17,  1885: 

September  16,  1888: 

May  30,  1891: 

Augustas,  1891: 
March,  1895: 

May  1,  1897: 
February  4,  1900: 

May  9,  1903: 
May  15,  1904: 

June  9,  1907: 


41 

Murdock  B,  Morris 


A.  M.  Black 
John  B.  Shaw 

D.  M.  MeLeod 


D.  P.  McDonald 
M.  D.  McCrummen 

H.  A.  McCallum 
K.  M.  Fry 

D.  A.  McDonald 
M.  McL.  Kelly 


A.  C.  Kelly 

G.  C.  Graves 
W.  E.  Evans 


J.  H.  McDonald 
Jesse  Carter,  Jr. 


D.  S.  Ray 


R.  L.  Tyson 

W.  V.  Carter 

J.  S.  Shields 

M.  A.  Shields 

June  14,  1907: 

M.  G.  Dalrymple 

The  following  have  served  as  clerks  of  the  session  in  the 
order  named: 

Rev.  A.  C.  McNeill,  Rev.  W.  H.  Hogshead,  Alexander   Kelly,   D 
P.  Shields,  W.  J.  Stuart,  D.  P.  Shields,  Dr.  G.  McLeod. 


UNION  HOME  SCHOOL. 


1875-1898. 

PROF.  JOHN  E.  KELLY,  M.  A.,  FOUNDER  AND  OWNER. 

Presbyterianism  has  ever  stood  for  higher  education, 
and  the  early  Scotch  settlers  in  Moore  county  lived  up  to 
this  reputation.  The  early  academies  of  Solemn  Grove, 
Deep  river  and  Carthage  were  schools  of  excellent  literary 
and  classical  attainments. 

Among  the  schools  of  this  section  none  stood  higher 
or  accomplished  more  lasting  good  than  the  celebrated 
Union  Home  School.  It  was  the  writer's  purpose  to  give 
it  space  in  this  volume  in  keeping  with  its  usefulness,  but 
to  our  regret  the  information,  with  the  names  of  its  promi- 
nent graduates,  was  unavoidably  delayed  until  after  the 
forms  went  to  press. 

Prof.  John  E.  Kelly,  who  graduated  from  Davidson 
College  with  honors,  founded  Union  Home  School  in  1875. 
The  purpose  of  the  school  was  ideal  as  well  as  practical. 
Its  government  was  that  of  a  well  regulated  family.  The 
pupils  were  effiiciently  trained  in  matters  pertaining  to 
body,  mind  and  soul.  The  boys  were  drilled  according  to 
Upton's  military  tactics,  and  the  school  body  was  subjected 
to  such  gymnastic  and  calisthenic  exercises  as  would 
require  mental  as  well  as  physical  exertion.  Prof.  Kelly, 
who  has  no  superior  as  an  instructor,  was  ably  assisted  by 
an  experienced  corps  of  teachers.  His  pupils  ranked  among 
the  best  in  our  colleges  and  many  graduated  with  the 
highest  honors.  Not  least  among  the  lasting  results  of 
this  school  was  the  excellent  training  given  in  "morals 
and  manners."  Work  in  the  literary  society  was  empha- 
sized as  well  as  the  use  of  a  well  selected  library.  The 
discipline  was  mild  but  firm,  and  a  constant  and  earnest 
effort  was  made  to  inculcate  a  high  regard  for  truth  and 
honor.  The  dormitories  were  arranged  in  the  form  of  a 
hollow  square,  with  the  school  building  in  the  center,  and 
were  constructed  according  to  the  best  theories  of  light. 


History  of  Union.  43 

heat  and  ventilation.  The  school  room  was  so  arranged 
as  to  admit  a  soft  light  from  the  North  East  and  South 
West  in  line  with  the  desks  so  that  the  eyes  of  the  pupils 
were  not  subjected  to  the  painful  and  injurious  effect  of 
cross  lights. 

Prof.  Kelly  is  now  a  member  of  the   faculty  of  the 
Presbyterian  College,  Sautee,  Ga. 


n     n     ^ 


'v-- 


